Indol-2-amides as glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors

ABSTRACT

A compound of the formula (1) or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, or pro-drug thereof; (1) wherein, for example, R 4  is halo or (1-4C)alkyl; A is phenylene or heteroarylene; n is 0, 1 or 2; m is 0, 1 or 2; R 1  is halo, cyano or carboxy; R 2  is for example methyl; R 3  is for example selected from halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl (optionally substituted on alkyl with hydroxy), (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](1-4C)alkyl, (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](1-4C)alkyl; possess glycogen phosphorylase inhibitory activity and accordingly have value in the treatment of disease states associated with increased glycogen phosphorylase activity. Processes for the manufacture of compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are described.

The present invention relates to heterocyclic amide derivatives, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable esters thereof. These heterocyclic amides possess glycogen phosphorylase inhibitory activity and accordingly have value in the treatment of disease states associated with increased glycogen phosphorylase activity and thus are potentially useful in methods of treatment of a warm-blooded animal such as man. The invention also relates to processes for the manufacture of said heterocyclic amide derivatives, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to their use in the manufacture of medicaments to inhibit glycogen phosphorylase activity in a warm-blooded animal such as man.

The liver is the major organ regulating glycaemia in the post-absorptive state. Additionally, although having a smaller role in the contribution to post-prandial blood glucose levels, the response of the liver to exogenous sources of plasma glucose is key to an ability to maintain euglycaemia. An increased hepatic glucose output (HGO) is considered to play an important role in maintaining the elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels seen in type 2 diabetics; particularly those with a FPG>140 mg/dl (7.8 mM). (Weyer et al, (1999), J Clin Invest 104: 787-794; Clore & Blackgard (1994), Diabetes 43: 256-262; De Fronzo, R. A., et al, (1992) Diabetes Care 15; 318-355; Reaven, G. M. (1995) Diabetologia 38; 3-13).

Since current oral, anti-diabetic therapies fail to bring FPG levels to within the normal, non-diabetic range and since raised FPG (and glycHbA1c) levels are risk factors for both macro- (Charles, M. A. et al (1996) Lancet 348, 1657-1658; Coutinho, M. et al (1999) Diabetes Care 22; 233-240; Shaw, J. E. et al (2000) Diabetes Care 23, 34-39) and micro-vascular disease (DCCT Research Group (1993) New. Eng. J. Med. 329; 977-986); the reduction and normalisation of elevated FPG levels remains a treatment goal in type 2 DM.

It has been estimated that, after an overnight fast, 74% of HGO was derived from glycogenolysis with the remainder derived from gluconeogenic precursors (Hellerstein et al (1997) Am J Physiol, 272: E163). Glycogen phosphorylase is a key enzyme in the generation by glycogenolysis of glucose-1-phosphate, and hence glucose in liver and also in other tissues such as muscle and neuronal tissue.

Liver glycogen phosphorylase a activity is elevated in diabetic animal models including the db/db mouse and the fa/fa rat (Aiston S et al (2000). Diabetalogia 43, 589-597).

Inhibition of hepatic glycogen phosphorylase with chloroindole inhibitors (CP91149 and CP320626) has been shown to reduce both glucagon stimulated glycogenolysis and glucose output in hepatocytes (Hoover et al (1998) J Med Chem 41, 2934-8; Martin et al (1998) PNAS 95, 1776-81). Additionally, plasma glucose concentration is reduced, in a dose related manner, db/db and ob/ob mice following treatment with these compounds.

Studies in conscious dogs with glucagon challenge in the absence and presence of another glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor, Bay K 3401, also show the potential utility of such agents where there is elevated circulating levels of glucagon, as in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. In the presence of Bay R 3401, hepatic glucose output and arterial plasma glucose following a glucagon challenge were reduced significantly (Shiota et al, (1997), Am J Physiol, 273: E868).

The heterocyclic amides of the present invention possess glycogen phosphorylase inhibitory activity and accordingly are expected to be of use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, syndrome X, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglucagonaemia, cardiac ischaemia and obesity, particularly type 2 diabetes.

Our patent application WO 02/20530 discloses a spectrum of active glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors, amongst which are a very limited number of amino-indan containing compounds.

Our co-pending patent applications PCT/GB03/00883 and PCT/GB03/00875 disclose a variety of substituted amino-indan glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors, generally containing only one substitutent on the nitrogen of the amino-indan moiety, although a number are disubstituted and contain an N-acetyl group as one substituent.

Surprisingly, we have found that a group of N-disubstituted amino-indans have improved physical properties (for example solubility, plasma-protein binding) in comparison with those of the compounds previously disclosed, which are particularly beneficial for a pharmaceutical.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a compound of formula (1):

wherein:

-   A is phenylene or heteroarylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R¹ is independently selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy,     carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(1-4C)alkylcarbamoyl,     N,N-((1-4C)alkyl)₂carbamoyl, sulphamoyl, N-(1-4C)alkylsulphamoyl,     N,N-((1-4C)alkyl)₂sulphamoyl, —S(O)_(b)(1-4C)alkyl (wherein b is 0,     1, or 2), —OS(O)₂(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkyl, (2-4C)alkenyl,     (2-4C)alkynyl, (1-4C)alkoxy, (1-4C)alkanoyl, (1-4C)alkanoyloxy,     hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl,     trifluoromethoxy and —NHSO₂(1-4C)alkyl; -   or, when n is 2, the two R¹ groups, together with the carbon atoms     of A to which they are attached, may form a 4 to 7 membered     saturated ring, optionally containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms     independently selected from O, S and N, and optionally being     substituted by one or two methyl groups; -   one of R² and R³ is selected from R_(N)a, and the other is selected     from R_(N)b; -   R_(N)a: (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl,     cyano(1-3C)alkyl (optionally substituted on alkyl with hydroxy),     methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, methoxymethoxymethyl,     dimethoxyethyl, (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals     and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof,     (amino)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl, (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl,     (methylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl,     (dimethylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl,     (methylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl,     (methylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2); -   R_(N)b: (1-4C)alkyl, halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl,     trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl (optionally substituted on     alkyl with hydroxy), (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and     mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof,     (amino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     (di(1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2); -   wherein any alkyl or alkoxy group within any group in R_(N)A and     R_(N)B may also optionally be substituted on an available carbon     atom with a hydroxy group (provided that said carbon atom is not     already substituted by a group linked by a heteroatom); -   provided that if R² is (1-3C)alkyl or (1-4C)alkyl then R³ is not     (1-4C)alkyl or (1-3C)alkyl; -   R⁴ is independently selected from halo, nitro, hydroxy,     fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy,     carboxy, carbamoyl, (1-4C)alkyl, (2-4C)alkenyl, (2-4C)alkynyl,     (1-4C)alkoxy and (1-4C)alkanoyl; -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a compound of the formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof wherein one of R² and R³ is selected from R_(N)a, and the other is selected from R_(N)b; and R_(N)a and R_(N)b are selected from:

-   R_(N)a: (1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3)alkyl, trifluoromethyl,     hydroxy(1-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl, cyano(1-3C)alkyl,     methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, methoxymethoxymethyl,     dimethoxyethyl, (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals     and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   R_(N)b: (1-4C)alkyl, halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl,     trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and     mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   and wherein R¹, R⁴ to R⁷, A, m and n are as hereinbefore defined.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a compound of the formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof wherein R⁴ is independently selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, carboxy, carbamoyl, (1-4C)alkyl, (2-4C)alkenyl, (2-4C)alkynyl, (1-4C)alkoxy and (1-4C)alkanoyl;

-   and wherein R¹ to R³, and R⁵ to R⁷, A, m and n are as defined in     either aspect of the invention hereinbefore.

It is to be understood that when A is heteroarylene, the bridgehead atoms joining ring A to the ring may be heteroatoms. Therefore, for example, the definition of

when A is heteroarylene encompasses the structures:

It is to be understood that where substituents contain two substituents on an alkyl chain, in which both are linked by a heteroatom (for example two alkoxy substituents, or an amino and a hydroxy substituent), then these two substituents are not substituents on the same carbon atom of the alkyl chain.

In another aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula (1) as hereinabove defined or to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

In another aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula (1) as hereinabove defined or to a pro-drug thereof. Suitable examples of pro-drugs of compounds of formula (1) are in-vivo hydrolysable esters of compounds of formula (1). Therefore in another aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula (1) as hereinabove defined or to an in-vivo hydrolysable ester thereof.

It is to be understood that, insofar as certain of the compounds of formula (1) defined above may exist in optically active or racemic forms by virtue of one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, the invention includes in its definition any such optically active or racemic form which possesses glycogen phosphorylase inhibition activity. The synthesis of optically active forms may be carried out by standard techniques of organic chemistry well known in the art, for example by synthesis from optically active starting materials or by resolution of a racemic form. Similarly, the above-mentioned activity may be evaluated using the standard laboratory techniques referred to hereinafter.

Within the present invention it is to be understood that a compound of the formula (1) or a salt thereof may exhibit the phenomenon of tautomerism and that the formulae drawings within this specification can represent only one of the possible tautomeric forms. It is to be understood that the invention encompasses any tautomeric form which has glycogen phosphorylase inhibition activity and is not to be limited merely to any one tautomeric form utilised within the formulae drawings. The formulae drawings within this specification can represent only one of the possible tautomeric forms and it is to be understood that the specification encompasses all possible tautomeric forms of the compounds drawn not just those forms which it has been possible to show graphically herein.

It is also to be understood that certain compounds of the formula (1) and salts thereof can exist in solvated as well as unsolvated forms such as, for example, hydrated forms. It is to be understood that the invention encompasses all such solvated forms which have glycogen phosphorylase inhibition activity.

It is also to be understood that certain compounds of the formula (1) may exhibit polymorphism, and that the invention encompasses all such forms which possess glycogen phosphorylase inhibition activity.

The present invention relates to the compounds of formula (1) as hereinbefore defined as well as to the salts thereof. Salts for use in pharmaceutical compositions will be pharmaceutically acceptable salts, but other salts may be useful in the production of the compounds of formula (1) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the invention may, for example, include acid addition salts of the compounds of formula (1) as hereinbefore defined which are sufficiently basic to form such salts. Such acid addition salts include for example salts with inorganic or organic acids affording pharmaceutically acceptable anions such as with hydrogen halides (especially hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid of which hydrochloric acid is particularly preferred) or with sulphuric or phosphoric acid, or with trifluoroacetic, citric or maleic acid. Suitable salts include hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, phosphates, sulphates, hydrogen sulphates, alkylsulphonates, arylsulphonates, acetates, benzoates, citrates, maleates, fumarates, succinates, lactates and tartrates. In addition where the compounds of formula (1) are sufficiently acidic, pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be formed with an inorganic or organic base which affords a pharmaceutically acceptable cation. Such salts with inorganic or organic bases include for example an alkali metal salt, such as a sodium or potassium salt, an alkaline earth metal salt such as a calcium or magnesium salt, an ammonium salt or for example a salt with methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, piperidine, morpholine or tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine.

The compounds of the invention may be administered in the form of a pro-drug which is broken down in the human or animal body to give a compound of the invention. A prodrug may be used to alter or improve the physical and/or pharmacokinetic profile of the parent compound and can be formed when the parent compound contains a suitable group or substituent which can be derivatised to form a prodrug. Examples of pro-drugs include in-vivo hydrolysable esters of a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Various forms of prodrugs are known in the art, for examples see:

-   a) Design of Prodrugs, edited by H. Bundgaard, (Elsevier, 1985) and     Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 42, p. 309-396, edited by K. Widder, et     al. (Academic Press, 1985); -   b) A Textbook of Drug Design and Development, edited by     Krogsgaard-Larsen and H. Bundgaard, Chapter 5 “Design and     Application of Prodrugs”, by H. Bundgaard p. 113-191 (1991); -   c) H. Bundgaard, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 8, 1-38 (1992); -   d) H. Bundgaard, et al., Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 77, 285     (1988); and -   e) N. Kakeya, et al., Chem Pharm Bull, 32, 692 (1984).

An in-vivo hydrolysable ester of a compound of formula (1) containing carboxy or hydroxy group is, for example, a pharmaceutically acceptable ester which is cleaved in the human or animal body to produce the parent acid or alcohol.

Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable esters for carboxy include (1-6C)alkoxymethyl esters for example methoxymethyl, (1-6C)alkanoyloxymethyl esters for example pivaloyloxymethyl, phthalidyl esters, (3-8C)cycloalkoxycarbonyloxy(1-6C)alkyl esters for example 1-cyclohexylcarbonyloxyethyl; 1,3-dioxolen-2-onylmethyl esters for example 5-methyl-1,3-dioxolen-2-onylmethyl; and (1-6C)alkoxycarbonyloxyethyl esters for example 1-methoxycarbonyloxyethyl and may be formed at any carboxy group in the compounds of this invention.

Suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable esters for hydroxy include inorganic esters such as phosphate esters (including phosphoramidic cyclic esters) and α-acyloxyalkyl ethers and related compounds which as a result of the in-vivo hydrolysis of the ester breakdown to give the parent hydroxy group/s. Examples of α-acyloxyalkyl ethers include acetoxymethoxy and 2,2-dimethylpropionyloxymethoxy. A selection of in-vivo hydrolysable ester forming groups for hydroxy include (1-10C)alkanoyl, for example acetyl; benzoyl; phenylacetyl; substituted benzoyl and phenylacetyl, (1-10C)alkoxycarbonyl (to give alkyl carbonate esters), for example ethoxycarbonyl; di-((1-4C))alkylcarbamoyl and N-(di-((1-4C))alkylaminoethyl)-N-((1-4C))alkylcarbamoyl (to give carbamates); di-((1-4C))alkylaminoacetyl and carboxyacetyl. Examples of ring substituents on phenylacetyl and benzoyl include aminomethyl, ((1-4C))alkylaminomethyl and di-(((1-4C))alkyl)aminomethyl, and morpholino or piperazino linked from a ring nitrogen atom via a methylene linking group to the 3- or 4-position of the benzoyl ring. Other interesting in-vivo hydrolysable esters include, for example, R^(A)C(O)O((1-6C))alkyl-CO—, wherein R^(A) is for example, benzyloxy-((1-4C))alkyl, or phenyl). Suitable substituents on a phenyl group in such esters include, for example, 4-((1-4C))piperazino-((1-4C))alkyl, piperazino-((1-4C))alkyl and morpholino(1-4C)alkyl.

In this specification the generic term “alkyl” includes both straight-chain and branched-chain alkyl groups. However references to individual alkyl groups such as “propyl” are specific for the straight chain version only and references to individual branched-chain alkyl groups such as t-butyl are specific for the branched chain version only. For example, “(1-3C)alkyl” includes methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl, “(1-4C)alkyl” includes methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl and t-butyl and examples of “(1-6C)alkyl” include the examples of “(1-4C)alkyl” and additionally pentyl, 2,3-dimethylpropyl, 3-methylbutyl and hexyl. An analogous convention applies to other generic terms, for example “(2-4C)alkenyl” includes vinyl, allyl and 1-propenyl and examples of “(2-6C)alkenyl” include the examples of “(2-4C)alkenyl” and additionally 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-methylbut-2-enyl, 3-methylbut-1-enyl, 1-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl and 4-hexenyl. Examples of “(2-4C)alkynyl” includes ethynyl, 1-propynyl and 2-propynyl and examples of “C₂₋₆alkynyl” include the examples of “(2-4C)alkynyl” and additionally 3-butynyl, 2-pentynyl and 1-methylpent-2-ynyl.

The term “hydroxy(1-3C)alkyl” includes hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl and hydroxyisopropyl. The term “hydroxy(2-3C)alkyl” includes hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl and hydroxyisopropyl. The term “hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl” includes hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxyisopropyl and hydroxybutyl. The term “hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl” also includes hydroxycyclopropyl and hydroxycyclobutyl. The term “hydroxyethyl” includes 1-hydroxyethyl and 2-hydroxyethyl. The term “hydroxypropyl” includes 1-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxypropyl and 3-hydroxypropyl and an analogous convention applies to terms such as hydroxybutyl. The term “dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl” includes dihydroxyethyl, dihydroxypropyl and dihydroxyisopropyl. The term “dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl” includes dihydroxyethyl, dihydroxypropyl, dihydroxyisopropyl and dihydroxybutyl. The term “dihydroxypropyl” includes 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl and 1,3-dihydroxypropyl. An analogous convention applies to terms such as dihydroxyisopropyl and dihydroxybutyl. The term dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl is not intended to include structures which are geminally disubstituted and thereby unstable.

The term “trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl” includes 1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl and 1,2,3-trihydroxybutyl. The term trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl is not intended to include structures which are geminally di- or tri-substituted and thereby unstable.

The term “halo” refers to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. The term “halo(1-3C)alkyl” includes fluoromethyl, chloromethyl, fluoroethyl, fluoropropyl and chloropropyl. The term “halo(1-4C)alkyl” includes “halo(1-3C)alkyl” and additionally fluorobutyl. The term “dihalo(1-4C)alkyl” includes difluoromethyl and dichloromethyl. The term “dihalo(1-3C)alkyl” includes difluoromethyl and dichloromethyl. The term “trihalo(1-4C)alkyl” includes trifluoromethyl.

Examples of “5- and 6-membered cyclic acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof” are:

1,3-dioxolan-4-yl, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl; 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl; 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl; 1,3-dioxan-2-yl.

Examples of “(1-4C)alkoxy” include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy and isopropoxy. Examples of “(1-6C)alkoxy” include the examples of “(1-4C)alkoxy” and additionally butyloxy, t-butyloxy, pentoxy and 1,2-(methyl)₂propoxy. Examples of “(1-4C)alkanoyl” include formyl, acetyl and propionyl. Examples of “(1-6C)alkanoyl” include the example of “(1-4C)alkanoyl” and additionally butanoyl, pentanoyl, hexanoyl and 1,2-(methyl)₂propionyl. Examples of “(1-4C)alkanoyloxy” are formyloxy, acetoxy and propionoxy. Examples of “(1-6C)alkanoyloxy” include the examples of “(1-4C)alkanoyloxy” and additionally butanoyloxy, pentanoyloxy, hexanoyloxy and 1,2-(methyl)₂propionyloxy. Examples of “N-((1-4C)alkyl)amino” include methylamino and ethylamino. Examples of “N-((1-6C)alkyl)amino” include the examples of “N-((1-4C)alkyl)amino” and additionally pentylamino, hexylamino and 3-methylbutylamino. Examples of “N,N-((1-4C)alkyl)₂amino” include N-N-(methyl)₂amino, N-N-(ethyl)₂amino and N-ethyl-N-methylamino. Examples of “N,N-((1-6C)alkyl)₂amino” include the example of “N,N-((1-4C)alkyl)₂amino” and additionally N-methyl-N-pentylamino and N,N-(pentyl)₂amino. Examples of “N-((1-4C)alkyl)carbamoyl” are methylcarbamoyl and ethylcarbamoyl. Examples of “N-((1-6C)alkyl)carbamoyl” are the examples of “N-((1-4C)alkyl)carbamoyl” and additionally pentylcarbamoyl, hexylcarbamoyl and 1,2-(methyl)₂propylcarbamoyl. Examples of “N,N-((1-4C)alkyl)₂carbamoyl” are N,N-(methyl)₂carbamoyl, N,N-(ethyl)₂carbamoyl and N-methyl-N-ethylcarbamoyl. Examples of “N,N-((1-6C)alkyl)₂carbamoyl” are the examples of “N,N-((1-4C)alkyl)₂carbamoyl” and additionally N,N-(pentyl)₂carbamoyl, N-methyl-N-pentylcarbamoyl and N-ethyl-N-hexylcarbamoyl. Examples of “N-((1-4C)alkyl)sulphamoyl” are N-(methyl)sulphamoyl and N-(ethyl)sulphamoyl. Examples of “N-((1-6C)alkyl)sulphamoyl” are the examples of “N-((1-4C)alkyl)sulphamoyl” and additionally N-pentylsulphamoyl, N-hexylsulphamoyl and 1,2-(methyl)₂propylsulphamoyl. Examples of “N,N-((1-4C)alkyl)₂sulphamoyl” are N,N-(methyl)₂sulphamoyl, N,N-(ethyl)₂sulphamoyl and N-(methyl)-N-(ethyl)sulphamoyl. Examples of “N,N-((1-6C)alkyl)₂sulphamoyl” are the examples of “N,N-((1-4C)alkyl)₂sulphamoyl” and additionally N,N-(pentyl)₂sulphamoyl, N-methyl-N-pentylsulphamoyl and N-ethyl-N-hexylsulphamoyl.

Examples of “cyano(1-3C)alkyl” and “cyano(1-4C)alkyl” are cyanomethyl, cyanoethyl and cyanopropyl. Examples of “(3-6C)cycloalkyl” include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. Examples of “(3-6C)cycloalkyl(1-4C)alkyl” include cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylethyl, cyclopropylpropyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl and cyclohexylmethyl. Examples of “cyano(1-3C)alkyl” and “cyano(1-4C)alkyl” substituted with hydroxy include 1-(hydroxy)-2-(cyano)ethyl.

The term “amino(1-4C)alkyl” includes aminomethyl, aminoethyl, aminopropyl, aminoisopropyl and aminobutyl. The term “aminoethyl” includes 1-aminoethyl and 2-aminoethyl. The term “aminopropyl” includes 1-aminopropyl, 2-aminopropyl and 3-aminopropyl and an analogous convention applies to terms such as aminoethyl and aminobutyl.

Examples of “(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy” are methoxymethoxy, ethoxymethoxy, ethoxyethoxy and methoxyethoxy. Examples of “hydroxy(1-4C)alkoxy” are hydroxyethoxy and hydroxypropoxy. Examples of “hydroxypropoxy” are 2-hydroxypropoxy and 3-hydroxypropoxy. Examples of “(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl” include methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, ethoxypropyl and propoxymethyl. Examples of “(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl” include methoxymethoxymethyl, ethoxyethoxyethyl, ethoxymethoxymethyl, methoxyethoxymethyl, methoxymethoxyethyl, methoxyethoxyethyl and ethoxymethoxymethyl. Examples of “di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl” include 1,2-dimethoxyethyl, 2,3,dimethoxypropyl and 1-methoxy-2-ethoxy-ethyl. Examples of “(hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl” include 1-hydroxy-2-methoxyethyl and 1-hydroxy-3-methoxypropyl.

Examples of “—S(O)_(b)(1-4C)alkyl (wherein b is 0, 1 or 2)” include methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, propanesulphinyl, mesyl, ethylsulphonyl, propylsulphonyl and isopropylsulphonyl.

Examples of “(1-6C)alkoxycarbonyl” include methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n- and t-butoxycarbonyl.

Examples of “(amino)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl” and “(amino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl” include 1-amino-2-hydroxyethyl, 1-hydroxy-2-aminoethyl, 1-hydroxy-2-aminopropyl and 1-amino-2-hydroxypropyl. Examples of “(aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl” and “(aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl” include 1-(hydroxy)-2-(aminocarbonyl)ethyl and 1-(hydroxy)-3-(aminocarbonyl)propyl. Examples of “((1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl” and “(methylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl” include 1-(hydroxy)-2-(N-methylaminocarbonyl)ethyl. Examples of “(di(1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl” and “(dimethylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl” include 1-(hydroxy)-2-(N,N-dimethylaminocarbonyl)ethyl. Examples of “(1-4C)alkylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl” and “methylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl” include 1-hydroxy-2-(methylcarbonylamino)ethyl and 1-(methylcarbonylamino)-2-(hydroxy)ethyl.

Examples of “((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl” and “(methylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl” (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2) include 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylthio)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylsulfinyl)ethyl and 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl.

Examples of additional substitution on an alkyl or alkoxy group within a definition of R_(N)A and R_(N)B by hydroxy is to be understood to mean, for example, substitution of a hydroxy in di(halo)(1-4C)alkyl to give groups such as 1-hydroxy-2,2-difluoromethyl; or for example substitution of a hydroxy into an (amino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl group to give a group such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3-aminopropyl; or for example substitution of a hydroxy into a “((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl”, to give for example HOCH₂CH₂S(O)₂CH₂CH(OH)—, or C₂H₅S(O)₂CH₂CH(OH)CH(OH)—.

Within this specification composite terms are used to describe groups comprising more that one functionality such as —(1-4C)alkylSO₂(1-4C)alkyl. Such terms are to be interpreted in accordance with the meaning which is understood by a person skilled in the art for each component part. For example —1-4C)alkylSO₂(1-4C)alkyl includes -methylsulphonylmethyl, -methylsulphonylethyl, -ethylsulphonylmethyl, and -propylsulphonylbutyl.

Where optional substituents are chosen from “0, 1, 2 or 3” groups it is to be understood that this definition includes all substituents being chosen from one of the specified groups or the substituents being chosen from two or more of the specified groups. An analogous convention applies to substituents chose from “0, 1 or 2” groups and “1 or 2” groups.

“Heteroarylene” is a diradical of a heteroaryl group. A heteroaryl group is an aryl, monocyclic ring containing 5 to 7 atoms of which 1, 2, 3 or 4 ring atoms are chosen from nitrogen, sulphur or oxygen. Examples of heteroarylene are oxazolylene, oxadiazolylene, pyridylene, pyrimidinylene, imidazolylene, triazolylene, tetrazolylene, pyrazinylene, pyridazinylene, pyrrolylene, thienylene and furylene.

Suitable optional substituents for heteroaryl groups, unless otherwise defined, are 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from halo, cyano, nitro, amino, hydroxy, (1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy, (1-4C)alkylS(O)_(b) (wherein b is 0, 1 or 2), N-((1-4C)alkyl)amino and N,N-((1-4C)alkyl)₂amino. Further suitable optional substituents for “heteroaryl” groups are 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from fluoro, chloro, cyano, nitro, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, hydroxy, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, methylthio, methylsulfinyl and methylsulfonyl.

Preferred values of A, R¹ to R⁴, m and n are as follows. Such values may be used where appropriate with any of the definitions, claims, aspects or embodiments defined hereinbefore or hereinafter.

In one embodiment of the invention are provided compounds of formula (1), in an alternative embodiment are provided pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of compounds of formula (1), in a further alternative embodiment are provided in-vivo hydrolysable esters of compounds of formula (1), and in a further alternative embodiment are provided pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of in-vivo hydrolysable esters of compounds of formula (1).

In one aspect of the invention A is phenylene.

In another aspect of the invention A is heteroarylene.

Preferably A is selected from phenylene, pyridylene, pyrimidinylene, pyrrolylene, imidazolylene, triazolylene, tetrazolylene, oxazolylene, oxadiazolylene, thienylene and furylene.

Further suitable values for A are phenylene, pyridylene, pyrimidinylene, pyrrolylene and imidazolylene.

Further suitable values for A are phenylene, pyridylene and pyrimidinylene.

Further suitable values for A are phenylene and pyridylene.

In one embodiment, when A is heteroarylene, there is a nitrogen in a bridgehead position. In another embodiment, when A is heteroarylene, the heteroatoms are not in bridgehead positions. It will be appreciated that the preferred (more stable) bridgehead position is as shown below:

In one aspect of the present invention m is 1 or 2.

In another aspect of the invention m is 1.

In another aspect, m is 0.

In one aspect of the present invention R⁴ is selected from halo, hydroxy, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl and trifluoromethyl.

In another aspect of the invention R⁴ is halo.

In one aspect of the present invention R⁴ is selected from halo, hydroxy, methyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl and trifluoromethyl.

In a further aspect of the invention R⁴ is methyl, chloro or fluoro.

In a further aspect of the invention R⁴ is chloro or fluoro.

More preferably R⁴ is chloro.

In one aspect of the invention n is 0 or 1.

In one aspect preferably n is 1.

In another aspect, preferably n is 0.

When n is 2, and the two R¹ groups, together with the carbon atoms of A to which they are attached, form a 4 to 7 membered saturated ring, optionally containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms independently selected from O, S and N, conveniently such a ring is a 5 or 6 membered ring. In one embodiment, such a 5 or 6 membered ring contains two O atoms (i.e. a cyclic acetal). When the two R¹ groups together form such a cyclic acetal, preferably it is not substituted. Most preferably the two R¹ groups together are the group —O—CH₂—O—.

In another aspect of the present invention R¹ is selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl and (1-4C)alkoxy.

In a further aspect R¹ is selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, —S(O)_(b)(1-4C)alkyl (wherein b is 0, 1 or 2), —OS(O)₂(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkyl and (1-4C)alkoxy.

In a further aspect R¹ is selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, —S(O)_(b)Me (wherein b is 0, 1 or 2), —OS(O)₂Me, methyl and methoxy.

In a further aspect, R¹ is (1-4C)alkyl.

Preferably R¹ is selected from halo and (1-4C)alkoxy.

In another embodiment preferably R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and —O—CH₂—O—.

In one aspect R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from:

-   R_(N)a: (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl,     cyano(1-3C)alkyl (optionally substituted on alkyl with hydroxy),     methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, methoxymethoxymethyl,     dimethoxyethyl, (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals     and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof,     (amino)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl, (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl,     (methylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl,     (dimethylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl,     (methylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl,     (methylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2); -   and R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from: -   R_(N)b: (1-4C)alkyl, halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl,     trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl (optionally substituted on     alkyl with hydroxy), (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and     mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof,     (amino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     (di(1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2); -   provided that when R_(N)a is (1-3C)alkyl, then R_(N)b is not     (1-4C)alkyl.

In another aspect R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from

-   R_(N)a: (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(2-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl,     cyano(1-3C)alkyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl,     methoxymethoxymethyl, dimethoxyethyl, (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl, 5-     and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   and R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from: -   R_(N)b: (1-4C)alkyl, halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl,     trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](1-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and     mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   provided that when R_(N)a is (1-3C)alkyl, then R_(N)b is not     (1-4C)alkyl.

In another aspect R³ is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from

-   R_(N)a: (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl,     cyano(1-3C)alkyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl,     methoxymethoxymethyl, dimethoxyethyl, (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl, 5-     and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   and R² is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from: -   R_(N)b: (1-4C)alkyl, halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl,     trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and     mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   provided that when R_(N)a is (1-3C)alkyl, then R_(N)b is not     (1-4C)alkyl.

In another aspect R² is selected from R_(N)a and R³ is selected from R_(N)b, wherein R_(N)a and R_(N)b are selected from any of the values for these groups defined hereinbefore or hereinafter.

In one embodiment, any alkyl or alkoxy group within any group in R_(N)A and R_(N)B is additionally substituted on an available carbon atom with a hydroxy group (provided that said carbon atom is not already substituted by a group linked by a heteroatom).

In another embodiment, any alkyl or alkoxy group within any group in R_(N)A and R_(N)B is not additionally substituted on an available carbon atom with a hydroxy group.

In one aspect, R_(N)a is selected from (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3C)alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl and cyano(1-3C)alkyl.

In one embodiment R_(N)a is selected from methyl, ethyl, fluoromethyl, chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, dihydroxy ethyl, dihydroxypropyl and cyanomethyl.

In another aspect R_(N)a is selected from (1-4C)alkyl, hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, and (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl.

In another embodiment R_(N)a is selected from:

-   (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3C)alkyl, trifluoromethyl,     hydroxy(1-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl, cyano(1-3C)alkyl,     methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, methoxymethoxymethyl,     dimethoxyethyl and (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl.

In another embodiment R_(N)a is selected from:

-   methyl, ethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl,     hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, dihydroxyethyl, dihydroxypropyl,     methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl and dimethoxyethyl.

In another embodiment R_(N)a is selected from methyl, ethyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, dihydroxyethyl, and dihydroxypropyl.

In another embodiment R_(N)a is selected from methyl, ethyl, hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl.

In another embodiment R_(N)a is selected from methyl and hydroxyethyl.

In another embodiment R_(N)a is selected from methyl and ethyl.

In another embodiment R_(N)a is methyl.

In one embodiment R_(N)b is selected from hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl (substituted on alkyl with hydroxy), (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof, (amino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(1-4C)alkyl, ((1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, (di(1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, ((1-4C)alkylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(1-4C)alkyl, and ((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(1-4C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2).

In another embodiment R_(N)b is selected from hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, trihydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](1-4C)alkyl, (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](1-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof.

In another embodiment R_(N)b is selected from hydroxy(1- 4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, cyano(1- 4C)alkyl (substituted on alkyl with hydroxy), (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](1-4C)alkyl, (amino)(hydroxy)(1-4C)alkyl, (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(1-4C)alkyl, ((1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, (di(1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, ((1-4C)alkylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(1-4C)alkyl, and ((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(1-4C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2).

In another embodiment R_(N)b is selected from hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof.

In another embodiment R_(N)b is selected from hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl and dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl.

In another embodiment, R_(N)b is selected from dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl and (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](1-4C)alkyl.

In one aspect R_(N)b is selected from hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl, methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, methoxymethoxymethyl, dimethoxyethyl, hydroxyethoxyethyl, 3-dioxolan-4-yl, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl; 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl; 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl; 1,3-dioxan-2-yl.

In another aspect R_(N)b is selected from hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl, 3-dioxolan-4-yl, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl and 1,3-dioxan-2-yl.

In another aspect R_(N)b is selected from hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl and 1,3-dihydroxypropyl.

In a further aspect, R_(N)b is selected from hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxyisobutyl, dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methoxy)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylthio)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(cyano)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(amino)ethyl, 1-(amino)-2-(hydroxy)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(aminocarbonyl)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-3-(aminocarbonyl)propyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(N-methylaminocarbonyl)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(N,N-dimethylaminocarbonyl)ethyl and 1-(methylcarbonylamino)-2-(hydroxy)ethyl.

In a further aspect, R_(N)b is selected from hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxyisobutyl, dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methoxy)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylthio)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(cyano)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(amino)ethyl and 1-(amino)-2-(hydroxy)ethyl.

In a further aspect, R_(N)b is selected from hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxyisobutyl, dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methoxy)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylthio)ethyl and 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl.

In a further aspect, R_(N)b is selected from hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxyisobutyl, dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl and 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methoxy)ethyl.

In a further aspect, R_(N)b is selected from 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl and 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methoxy)ethyl.

In one aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is halo; -   R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and     —O—CH₂—O—; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from -   R_(N)a: (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(2-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl,     cyano(1-3C)alkyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl,     methoxymethoxymethyl, dimethoxyethyl, (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl, 5-     and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   and R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from: -   R_(N)b: (1-4C)alkyl, halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl,     trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and     mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   provided that when R_(N)a is (1-3C)alkyl, then R_(N)b is not     (1-4C)alkyl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is heteroarylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is halo; -   R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and     —O—CH₂—O—; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from -   R_(N)a: (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(2-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl,     cyano(1-3C)alkyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl,     methoxymethoxymethyl, dimethoxyethyl, (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl, 5-     and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   and R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from: -   R_(N)b: (1-4C)alkyl, halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl,     trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and     mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   provided that when R_(N)a is (1-3C)alkyl, then R_(N)b is not     (1-4C)alkyl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is chloro; -   R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and     —O—CH₂—O—; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from -   R_(N)a: (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl,     cyano(1-3C)alkyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl,     methoxymethoxymethyl, dimethoxyethyl, (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl, 5-     and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   and R² is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from: -   R_(N)b: (1-4C)alkyl, halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl,     trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and     mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   provided that when R_(N)a is (1-3C)alkyl, then R_(N)b is not     (1-4C)alkyl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is heteroarylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is chloro; -   R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and     —O—CH₂—O—; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from -   R_(N)a: (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl,     cyano(1-3C)alkyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl,     methoxymethoxymethyl, dimethoxyethyl, (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl, 5-     and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   and R² is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from: -   R_(N)b: (1-4C)alkyl, halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl,     trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl,     trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and     mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   provided that when R_(N)a is (1-3C)alkyl, then R_(N)b is not     (1-4C)alkyl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is chloro; -   R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and     —O—CH₂—O—; -   one of R² and R³ is selected from R_(N)a, and the other is selected     from R_(N)b; -   R_(N)a is selected from: (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl,     dihalo(1-3C)alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-3C)alkyl,     dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl, cyano(1-3C)alkyl, methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl,     methoxyethyl, methoxymethoxymethyl, dimethoxyethyl and     (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl; -   R_(N)b is selected from: hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl,     trihydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and     mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is chloro; -   R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and     —O—CH₂—O—; -   one of R² and R³ is selected from R_(N)a, and the other is selected     from R_(N)b; -   R_(N)a is selected from: methyl, ethyl, fluoromethyl,     difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl,     dihydroxyethyl, dihydroxypropyl, methoxymethyl, methoxyethyl and     dimethoxyethyl. -   R_(N)b is selected from: hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl,     dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl,     1,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl, methoxymethyl,     methoxyethyl, methoxymethoxymethyl, dimethoxyethyl,     hydroxyethoxyethyl, 3-dioxolan-4-yl, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl,     2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl; 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl;     2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl; 1,3-dioxan-2-yl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is chloro; -   R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and     —O—CH₂—O—; -   one of R² and R³ is selected from R_(N)a, and the other is selected     from R_(N)b; -   R_(N)a is selected from: methyl, ethyl, hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl,     dihydroxyethyl, and dihydroxypropyl; -   R_(N)b is selected from: hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl,     dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl,     1,3-dihydroxypropyl, 3-dioxolan-4-yl, 2-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl,     2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl; 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4-yl;     2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl and 1,3-dioxan-2-yl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is chloro; -   R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and     —O—CH₂—O—; -   one of R² and R³ is selected from R_(N)a, and the other is selected     from R_(N)b; -   R_(N)a is selected from methyl and ethyl; -   R_(N)b is selected from hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl,     dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, and     1,3-dihydroxypropyl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, chloro and fluoro; -   R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and     —O—CH₂—O—; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from methyl,     ethyl, hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from     halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl, trifluoromethyl,     hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl,     cyano(1-4C)alkyl (optionally substituted on alkyl with hydroxy),     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5-     and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof,     (amino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     (di(1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2); -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, chloro and fluoro; -   R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and     —O—CH₂—O—; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from methyl,     ethyl, hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from     hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl,     cyano(1-4C)alkyl (substituted on alkyl with hydroxy),     (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5-     and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof,     (amino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     (di(1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, and     ((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2); -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0, 1 or 2; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, chloro and fluoro; -   R¹ is selected from fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and     —O—CH₂—O—; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from methyl,     ethyl, hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from     hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl     (substituted on alkyl with hydroxy), (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, (amino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     (di(1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, and     ((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2); -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, chloro and fluoro; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from methyl,     ethyl, hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from     hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl     (substituted on alkyl with hydroxy), (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, (amino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     (di(1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl,     ((1-4C)alkylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, and     ((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2); -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, chloro and fluoro; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from methyl,     ethyl, hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from     hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl     (substituted on alkyl with hydroxy), (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl,     (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, (amino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl and     ((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2); -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, chloro and fluoro; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from methyl,     ethyl, hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from     hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl,     hydroxyisobutyl, dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl,     2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl,     1-(hydroxy)-2-(methoxy)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylthio)ethyl,     1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(cyano)ethyl,     1-(hydroxy)-2-(amino)ethyl, 1-(amino)-2-(hydroxy)ethyl,     1-(hydroxy)-2-(aminocarbonyl)ethyl,     1-(hydroxy)-3-(aminocarbonyl)propyl,     1-(hydroxy)-2-(N-methylaminocarbonyl)ethyl,     1-(hydroxy)-2-(N,N-dimethylaminocarbonyl)ethyl,     1-(methylcarbonylamino)-2-(hydroxy)ethyl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, chloro and fluoro; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from methyl,     ethyl, hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from     hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl,     hydroxyisobutyl, dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl,     2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl,     1-(hydroxy)-2-(methoxy)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylthio)ethyl,     1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(cyano)ethyl,     1-(hydroxy)-2-(amino)ethyl and 1-(amino)-2-(hydroxy)ethyl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, chloro and fluoro; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from methyl,     ethyl, hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from     hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl,     hydroxyisobutyl, dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl,     2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl,     1-(hydroxy)-2-(methoxy)ethyl, 1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylthio)ethyl and     1-(hydroxy)-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, chloro and fluoro; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from methyl,     ethyl, hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from     hydroxymethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl,     hydroxyisobutyl, dihydroxyethyl, 1,2-dihydroxypropyl,     2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl and     1-(hydroxy)-2-(methoxy)ethyl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a compound of the formula (I) wherein

-   A is phenylene; -   n is 0; -   m is 0, 1 or 2; -   R⁴ is selected from methyl, chloro and fluoro; -   R² is selected from R_(N)a where R_(N)a is selected from methyl,     ethyl, hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl; -   R³ is selected from R_(N)b where R_(N)b is selected from     1,2-dihydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 1,3-dihydroxypropyl and     1-(hydroxy)-2-(methoxy)ethyl; -   and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in-vivo hydrolysable     esters thereof.

Preferred compounds of the invention are of the formula (1A), wherein R¹ to R⁴, m and n are as defined in any aspect or embodiment described hereinbefore or hereinafter.

In one aspect, preferred compounds of the invention are compounds of the formula (1) or (1A) as defined hereinbefore or hereinafter wherein R³ contains an hydroxy group on the carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group. Further preferred compounds of the invention are compounds of the formula (1) or (1A) as defined hereinbefore or hereinafter wherein R³ contains an amino group on the carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group.

Particular compounds of the invention are each of the Examples, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, each of which provides a further independent aspect of the invention. In a further aspect of the invention there is provided any two or more of the Examples or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an in-vivo hydrolysable ester thereof which process (wherein A, R¹ to R⁴ m and n are, unless otherwise specified, as defined in formula (1)) comprises of:

-   a) reacting an acid of the formula (2):     or an activated derivative thereof; with an amine of formula (3):     and thereafter if necessary: -   i) converting a compound of the formula (1) into another compound of     the formula (1); -   ii) removing any protecting groups; -   iii) forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in-vivo     hydrolysable ester.

Specific reaction conditions for the above reaction are as follows.

Process a) Acids of formula (2) and amines of formula (3) may be coupled together in the presence of a suitable coupling reagent. Standard peptide coupling reagents known in the art can be employed as suitable coupling reagents, or for example carbonyldiimidazole, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodi-imide hydrochloride (EDCI) and dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide (DCCI), optionally in the presence of a catalyst such as 1-hydroxybenzotriazole, dimethylaminopyridine or 4-pyrrolidinopyridine, optionally in the presence of a base for example triethylamine, di-isopropylethylamine, pyridine, or 2,6-di-alkyl-pyridines such as 2,6-lutidine or 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine. Suitable solvents include dimethylacetamide, dichloromethane, benzene, tetrahydrofuran and dimethylformamide. The coupling reaction may conveniently be performed at a temperature in the range of −40 to 40° C.

Suitable activated acid derivatives include acid halides, for example acid chlorides, and active esters, for example pentafluorophenyl esters. The reaction of these types of compounds with amines is well known in the art, for example they may be reacted in the presence of a base, such as those described above, and in a suitable solvent, such as those described above. The reaction may conveniently be performed at a temperature in the range of −40 to 40° C.

The acids of formula (2) are commercially available or they are known compounds or they are prepared by processes known in the art.

Compounds of formula (3) may be prepared according to Scheme 3:

Compounds of formula (3a) are commercially available or they are known compounds or they are prepared by processes known in the art. For example, starting from primary amines of formula (7), in which R is H or a suitable protecting group, one or both of R² and/or R³ may be introduced by acylation, (for example reacting with acetoxyacetic acid and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride—EDAC), alkylation, reductive alkylation, sulphonation or related processes, followed by O-deprotection when appropriate. Alternatively, one or both of R² and/or R³ may be obtained by modification of functionality in groups previously thus introduced, by reduction, oxidation, hydrolysis (for example the conversion of an acetoxy group to a hydroxy group), nucleophilic displacement, amidation, or a related process, or a combination of these processes, followed by O-deprotection when appropriate. It will be appreciated that such modifications may include modifications which convert one compound of the formula (1) into another compound of the formula (1).

Amines of formula (3) may alternatively be obtained by applying the processes described for the preparation of compounds of formula (3a) to compounds of formula (8) in which W is NH₂ or a nitrogen atom with one or two suitable protecting groups.

Alternatively, amines of formula (3) may also be prepared by the process in Scheme 3A. Compounds of formula A are commercially available or they are known compounds or they are prepared by processes known in the art. For example compound A can be converted to the phthalamido-protected intermediate C under standard conditions (Step 1). Alkylation can then be performed under standard conditions (Step 2: NaH, MeI, DMA). Removal of the phthalamide then affords amine D (Steps 3; hydrazine hydrate, EtOH).

Compounds of the formula (3) where r=1 and wherein A is heteroarylene can be prepared from suitably functionalised cycloalkyl fused heterocycles. For example, when A is pyridine,

compounds of formula (3b) and (3c) may be prepared from the corresponding azaindanone regioisomer according to Scheme 4:—

Step 1 is performed on a compound known in the literature (Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho, 1995, 14. JP 07070136). Steps 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are performed using standard techniques known in the art.

It will be appreciated that the bromo azaindanone isomers (21a, 21b and 21c) could

be converted to the corresponding heterocylic version of (3) by the means described in Scheme 4. The bromo azaindanones can be prepared from the corresponding azaindanones by standard techniques known in the art. The azaindanones (22a, 22b, 22c) are known in the literature or they are prepared by processes known in the art.

The process described above and shown in Scheme 4 may also be applied to other six membered heterocycles containing more than one nitrogen.

It will be appreciated that, in a similar manner, compounds of the formula (3) wherein A is heteroarylene containing a bridgehead nitrogen can be prepared from the appropriate suitably functionalised cycloalkyl fused heterocycles.

It will be appreciated that the processes described above for formation and modification of —NR²C(O)R³ may be applied similarly whether to make the compound of formula (3) before coupling to the acid of formula (2) or whether to the product of such a coupling.

It will be appreciated that certain of the various ring substituents in the compounds of the present invention, for example R¹ may be introduced by standard aromatic substitution reactions or generated by conventional functional group modifications either prior to or immediately following the processes mentioned above, and as such are included in the process aspect of the invention. Such reactions may convert one compound of the formula (1) into another compound of the formula (1). Such reactions and modifications include, for example, introduction of a substituent by means of an aromatic substitution reaction, reduction of substituents, alkylation of substituents and oxidation of substituents. The reagents and reaction conditions for such procedures are well known in the chemical art. Particular examples of aromatic substitution reactions include the introduction of a nitro group using concentrated nitric acid, the introduction of an acyl group using, for example, an acyl halide and Lewis acid (such as aluminum trichloride) under Friedel Crafts conditions; the introduction of an alkyl group using an alkyl halide and Lewis acid (such as aluminum trichloride) under Friedel Crafts conditions; and the introduction of a halogen group. Particular examples of modifications include the reduction of a nitro group to an amino group by for example, catalytic hydrogenation with a nickel catalyst or treatment with iron in the presence of hydrochloric acid with heating; oxidation of alkylthio to alkylsulphinyl or alkylsulphonyl.

It will also be appreciated that in some of the reactions mentioned herein it may be necessary/desirable to protect any sensitive groups in the compounds. The instances where protection is necessary or desirable and suitable methods for protection are known to those skilled in the art. Conventional protecting groups may be used in accordance with standard practice (for illustration see T. W. Green, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, 1991). Thus, if reactants include groups such as amino, carboxy or hydroxy it may be desirable to protect the group in some of the reactions mentioned herein.

A suitable protecting group for an amino or alkylamino group is, for example, an acyl group, for example an alkanoyl group such as acetyl, an alkoxycarbonyl group, for example a methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or t-butoxycarbonyl group, an arylmethoxycarbonyl group, for example benzyloxycarbonyl, or an aroyl group, for example benzoyl. The deprotection conditions for the above protecting groups necessarily vary with the choice of protecting group. Thus, for example, an acyl group such as an alkanoyl or alkoxycarbonyl group or an aroyl group may be removed for example, by hydrolysis with a suitable base such as an alkali metal hydroxide, for example lithium or sodium hydroxide. Alternatively an acyl group such as a t-butoxycarbonyl group may be removed, for example, by treatment with a suitable acid as hydrochloric, sulphuric or phosphoric acid or trifluoroacetic acid and an arylmethoxycarbonyl group such as a benzyloxycarbonyl group may be removed, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such as palladium-on-carbon, or by treatment with a Lewis acid for example boron tris(trifluoroacetate). A suitable alternative protecting group for a primary amino group is, for example, a phthaloyl group which may be removed by treatment with an alkylamine, for example dimethylaminopropylamine, or with hydrazine.

A suitable protecting group for a hydroxy group is, for example, an acyl group, for example an alkanoyl group such as acetyl, an aroyl group, for example benzoyl, or an arylmethyl group, for example benzyl. The deprotection conditions for the above protecting groups will necessarily vary with the choice of protecting group. Thus, for example, an acyl group such as an alkanoyl or an aroyl group may be removed, for example, by hydrolysis with a suitable base such as an alkali metal hydroxide, for example lithium or sodium hydroxide. Alternatively an arylmethyl group such as a benzyl group may be removed, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such as palladium-on-carbon.

A suitable protecting group for a carboxy group is, for example, an esterifying group, for example a methyl or an ethyl group which may be removed, for example, by hydrolysis with a base such as sodium hydroxide, or for example a t-butyl group which may be removed, for example, by treatment with an acid, for example an organic acid such as trifluoroacetic acid, or for example a benzyl group which may be removed, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such as palladium-on-carbon.

The protecting groups may be removed at any convenient stage in the synthesis using conventional techniques well known in the chemical art.

Certain intermediates in the preparation of a compound of the formula (1) are novel and form another aspect of the invention.

Compounds of the invention generally possess improved physical properties (for example solubility and/or plasma-protein binding) in comparison with those of the compounds previously disclosed. In combination with glycogen phosphorylase inhibitory activity, such physical properties render the compounds of the invention particularly useful as pharmaceuticals.

The thermodynamic solubilities of Examples 2 and 19 are given in the table below. Example No Structure Solubility (μM) Activity (μM) 19

119 0.11 2

173 0.5

The thermodynamic solubility data for the compounds of the invention as given above may be measured by agitating the compound in 0.1 M phosphate at pH7.4 for 24 hours, then analysis of the supernatant (for example by LCUV/MS) using a solution (for example in DMSO) of known concentration as the calibrant.

Plasma Protein binding may be measured using an equilibrium dialysis technique, whereby compound is added to 10% plasma giving a concentration of 20 μM and dialysed with isotonic buffer for 18 hours at 37° C. The plasma and buffer solutions are analysed using LCUVMS and the first apparent binding constant for the compound derived. The binding constant is then used to determine the % free in 100% plasma.

The binding constant derived from the dialysis experiment is based upon a model of 1:1 binding between compound and albumin. P + D ⇌ PD ${K\quad 1} = \frac{\lbrack{PD}\rbrack}{\lbrack P\rbrack \times \lbrack D\rbrack}$ where P=free protein, D=free drug, PD=drug protein complex, K1=first apparent binding constant.

As stated hereinbefore the compounds defined in the present invention possesses glycogen phosphorylase inhibitory activity. This property may be assessed, for example, using the procedure set out below.

Assay

The activity of the compounds is alternatively determined by measuring the inhibitory effect of the compounds on glycogen degradation, the production of glucose-1-phosphate from glycogen is monitored by the multienzyme coupled assay, as described in EP 0 846 464 A2, general method of Pesce et al (Pesce, M A, Bodourian, S H, Harris, R C, and Nicholson, J F (1977) Clinical Chemistry 23, 1171-1717). The reactions were in 384 well microplate format in a volume of 50 μl. The change in fluorescence due to the conversion of the co-factor NAD to NADH is measured at 340 nM excitation, 465 nm emission in a Tecan Ultra Multifunctional Microplate Reader. The reaction is in 50 mM BEPES, 3.5 mM KH₂PO₄, 2.5 mM MgCl₂, 2.5 mM ethylene glycol-bis(b-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N,′N′-tetraacetic acid, 100 mM KCl, 8 mM D-(+)-glucose pH7.2, containing 0.5 mM dithiothreitol, the assay buffer solution. Human recombinant liver glycogen phosphorylase a (hrl GPa) 20 nM is pre-incubated in assay buffer solution with 6.25 mM NAD, 1.25 mg type E1 glycogen at 1.25 mg ml⁻¹ the reagent buffer, for 30 minutes. The coupling enzymes, phosphoglucomutase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (Sigma) are prepared in reagent buffer, final concentration 0.25 Units per well. 20 μl of the hrl GPa solution is added to 10 μl compound solution and the reaction started with the addition of 20 ul coupling enzyme solution. Compounds to be tested are prepared in 10 μl 5% DMSO in assay buffer solution, with final concentration of 1% DMSO in the assay. The non-inhibited activity of GPa is measured in the presence of 10 μl 5% DMSO in assay buffer solution and maximum inhibition measured in the presence of 5 mgs ml⁻¹ N-ethylmaleimide. After 6 hours at 30° C. Relative Fluoresence Units (RFUs) are measured at 340 nM excitation, 465 nm emission.

The assay is performed at a test concentration of inhibitor of 10 μM or 100 μM. Compounds demonstrating significant inhibition at one or both of these concentrations may be further evaluated using a range of test concentrations of inhibitor to determine an IC₅₀, a concentration predicted to inhibit the enzyme reaction by 50%.

Activity is calculated as follows:— % inhibition=(1−(compound RFUs−fully inhibited RFUs)/(non-inhibited rate RFUs−fully inhibited RFUs))*100.

Typical IC₅₀ values for compounds of the invention when tested in the above assay are in the range 100 μM to 1 nM. The activity of Example 19 was 0.11 μM.

The inhibitory activity of compounds was further tested in rat primary hepatocytes. Rat hepatocytes were isolated by the collagenase perfusion technique, general method of Seglen (P. O. Seglen, Methods Cell Biology (1976) 13 29-83). Cells were cultured on Nunclon six well culture plates in DMEM (Dulbeco's Modified Eagle's Medium) with high level of glucose containing 10% foetal calf serum, NEAA (non essential amino acids), Glutamine, penicillin/streptomycin ((100 units/100 ug)/ml) for 4 to 6 hours. The hepatocytes were then cultured in the DMEM solution without foetal calf serum and with 10 nM insulin and 10 nM dexamethasone. Experiments were initiated after 18-20 hours culture by washing the cells and adding Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer containing 2.5 mM CaCl₂ and 1% gelatin. The test compound was added and 5 minutes later the cells were challenged with 25 nM glucagon. The Krebs-Henseleit solution was removed after 60 min incubation at 37° C., 95% O₂/5% CO₂ and the glucose concentration of the Krebs-Henseleit solution measured.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of the formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, as defined hereinbefore in association with a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier.

The compositions of the invention may be in a form suitable for oral use (for example as tablets, lozenges, hard or soft capsules, aqueous or oily suspensions, emulsions, dispersible powders or granules, syrups or elixirs), for topical use (for example as creams, ointments, gels, or aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions), for administration by inhalation (for example as a finely divided powder or a liquid aerosol), for administration by insufflation (for example as a finely divided powder) or for parenteral administration (for example as a sterile aqueous or oily solution for intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular or intramuscular dosing or as a suppository for rectal dosing).

The compositions of the invention may be obtained by conventional procedures using conventional pharmaceutical excipients, well known in the art. Thus, compositions intended for oral use may contain, for example, one or more colouring, sweetening, flavouring and/or preservative agents. In one aspect, the compositions of the invention are in a form suitable for oral dosage.

Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients for a tablet formulation include, for example, inert diluents such as lactose, sodium carbonate, calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate, granulating and disintegrating agents such as corn starch or algenic acid; binding agents such as starch; lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc; preservative agents such as ethyl or propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, and anti-oxidants, such as ascorbic acid. Tablet formulations may be uncoated or coated either to modify their disintegration and the subsequent absorption of the active ingredient within the gastrointestinal tract, or to improve their stability and/or appearance, in either case, using conventional coating agents and procedures well known in the art.

Compositions for oral use may be in the form of hard gelatin capsules in which the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules in which the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil such as peanut oil, liquid paraffin, or olive oil.

Aqueous suspensions generally contain the active ingredient in finely powdered form together with one or more suspending agents, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents such as lecithin or condensation products of an alkylene oxide with fatty acids (for example polyoxethylene stearate), or condensation products of ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, for example heptadecaethyleneoxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, for example heptadecaethyleneoxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, for example polyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The aqueous suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives (such as ethyl or propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, anti-oxidants (such as ascorbic acid), colouring agents, flavouring agents, and/or sweetening agents (such as sucrose, saccharine or aspartame).

Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredient in a vegetable oil (such as arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil) or in a mineral oil (such as liquid paraffin). The oily suspensions may also contain a thickening agent such as beeswax, hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents such as those set out above, and flavouring agents may be added to provide a palatable oral preparation. These compositions may be preserved by the addition of an anti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid.

Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water generally contain the active ingredient together with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives. Suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above. Additional excipients such as sweetening, flavouring and colouring agents, may also be present.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be in the form of oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil, such as olive oil or arachis oil, or a mineral oil, such as for example liquid paraffin or a mixture of any of these. Suitable emulsifying agents may be, for example, naturally-occurring gums such as gum acacia or gum tragacanth, naturally-occurring phosphatides such as soya bean, lecithin, an esters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides (for example sorbitan monooleate) and condensation products of the said partial esters with ethylene oxide such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The emulsions may also contain sweetening, flavouring and preservative agents.

Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents such as glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, aspartame or sucrose, and may also contain a demulcent, preservative, flavouring and/or colouring agent.

The pharmaceutical compositions may also be in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oily suspension, which may be formulated according to known procedures using one or more of the appropriate dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents, which have been mentioned above. A sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example a solution in 1,3-butanediol.

Compositions for administration by inhalation may be in the form of a conventional pressurised aerosol arranged to dispense the active ingredient either as an aerosol containing finely divided solid or liquid droplets. Conventional aerosol propellants such as volatile fluorinated hydrocarbons or hydrocarbons may be used and the aerosol device is conveniently arranged to dispense a metered quantity of active ingredient.

For further information on formulation the reader is referred to Chapter 25.2 in Volume 5 of Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry (Corwin Hansch; Chairman of Editorial Board), Pergamon Press 1990.

The amount of active ingredient that is combined with one or more excipients to produce a single dosage form will necessarily vary depending upon the host treated and the particular route of administration. For example, a formulation intended for oral administration to humans will generally contain, for example, from 0.5 mg to 2 g of active agent compounded with an appropriate and convenient amount of excipients which may vary from about 5 to about 98 percent by weight of the total composition. Dosage unit forms will generally contain about 1 mg to about 500 mg of an active ingredient. For further information on Routes of Administration and Dosage Regimes the reader is referred to Chapter 25.3 in Volume 5 of Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry (Corwin Hansch; Chairman of Editorial Board), Pergamon Press 1990.

The compound of formula (1) will normally be administered to a warm-blooded animal at a unit dose within the range 5-5000 mg per square meter body area of the animal, i.e. approximately 0.1-100 mg/kg, and this normally provides a therapeutically-effective dose. A unit dose form such as a tablet or capsule will usually contain, for example 1-250 mg of active ingredient. Preferably a daily dose in the range of 1-50 mg/kg is employed. However the daily dose will necessarily be varied depending upon the host treated, the particular route of administration, and the severity of the illness being treated. Accordingly the optimum dosage may be determined by the practitioner who is treating any particular patient.

The inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase activity described herein may be applied as a sole therapy or may involve, in addition to the subject of the present invention, one or more other substances and/or treatments. Such conjoint treatment may be achieved by way of the simultaneous, sequential or separate administration of the individual components of the treatment. Simultaneous treatment may be in a single tablet or in separate tablets. For example, in order to prevent, delay or treat type 2 diabetes mellitus, the compounds of the present invention or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be administered in combination with one or more of the following agent(s):

-   -   1) Insulin and insulin analogues;     -   2) Insulin secretagogues including sulphonylureas (for example         glibenclamide, glipizide), prandial glucose regulators (for         example repaglinide, nateglinide) and glucokinase activators     -   3) Agents that improve incretin action (for example dipeptidyl         peptidase IV inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists)     -   4) Insulin sensitising agents including PPARgamma agonists (for         example pioglitazone and rosiglitazone); and agents with         combined PPARalpha and gamma activity     -   5) Agents that modulate hepatic glucose balance (for example         metformin, fructose 1, 6 bisphosphatase inhibitors, glycogen         synthase kinase inhibitors, glucokinase activators)     -   6) Agents designed to reduce the absorption of glucose from the         intestine (for example acarbose);     -   7) Agents that prevent the reabsorption of glucose by the kidney         (SGLT inhibitors)     -   8) Agents designed to treat the complications of prolonged         hyperglycaemia (for example aldose reductase inhibitors)     -   9) Anti-obesity agents (for example sibutramine and orlistat);     -   10) Anti-dyslipidaemia agents such as, HMG-CoA reductase         inhibitors (statins, eg pravastatin); PPARα agonists (fibrates,         eg gemfibrozil); bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine);         cholesterol absorption inhibitors (plant stanols, synthetic         inhibitors); bile acid absorption inhibitors (IBATi) and         nicotinic acid and analogues (niacin and slow release         formulations);     -   11) Antihypertensive agents such as, β blockers (eg atenolol,         inderal); ACE inhibitors (eg lisinopril); Calcium antagonists         (eg. nifedipine); Angiotensin receptor antagonists (eg         candesartan), α antagonists and diuretic agents (eg. furosemide,         benzthiazide);     -   12) Haemostasis modulators such as, antithrombotics, activators         of fibrinolysis and antiplatelet agents; thrombin antagonists;         factor Xa inhibitors; factor VIIa inhibitors); antiplatelet         agents (eg. aspirin, clopidogrel); anticoagulants (heparin and         Low molecular weight analogues, hirudin) and warfarin;     -   13) Agents which antagonise the actions of glucagon; and     -   14) Anti-inflammatory agents, such as non-steroidal         anti-inflammatory drugs (eg. aspirin) and steroidal         anti-inflammatory agents (eg. cortisone).

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a compound of the formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, as defined hereinbefore, for use in a method of treatment of a warm-blooded animal such as man by therapy.

According to an additional aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of the formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, as defined hereinbefore, for use as a medicament.

According to an additional aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of the formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, as defined hereinbefore, for use as a medicament in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, syndrome X, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglucagonaemia, cardiac ischaemia or obesity in a warm-blooded animal such as man.

According to this another aspect of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in-vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, as defined hereinbefore in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, syndrome X, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglucagonaemia, cardiac ischaemia or obesity in a warm-blooded animal such as man.

According to this another aspect of the invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in-vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, as defined hereinbefore in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of type 2 diabetes in a warm-blooded animal such as man.

According to a further feature of this aspect of the invention there is provided a method of producing a glycogen phosphorylase inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (1).

According to this further feature of this aspect of the invention there is provided a method of treating type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, syndrome X, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglucagonaemia, cardiac ischaemia or obesity in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (1).

According to this further feature of this aspect of the invention there is provided a method of treating type 2 diabetes in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (1).

As stated above the size of the dose required for the therapeutic or prophylactic treatment of a particular cell-proliferation disease will necessarily be varied depending on the host treated, the route of administration and the severity of the illness being treated. A unit dose in the range, for example, 1-100 mg/kg, preferably 1-50 mg/kg is envisaged.

In addition to their use in therapeutic medicine, the compounds of formula (1) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are also useful as pharmacological tools in the development and standardisation of in vitro and in vivo test systems for the evaluation of the effects of inhibitors of cell cycle activity in laboratory animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits, monkeys, rats and mice, as part of the search for new therapeutic agents.

In the above other pharmaceutical composition, process, method, use and medicament manufacture features, the alternative and preferred embodiments of the compounds of the invention described herein also apply.

EXAMPLES

The invention will now be illustrated by the following examples in which, unless stated otherwise:

-   (i) temperatures are given in degrees Celsius (° C.); operations     were carried out at room or ambient temperature, that is, at a     temperature in the range of 18-25° C. and under an atmosphere of an     inert gas such as argon; -   (ii) organic solutions were dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate;     evaporation of solvent was carried out using a rotary evaporator     under reduced pressure (600-4000 Pascals; 4.5-30 mmHg) with a bath     temperature of up to 60° C.; -   (iii) chromatography means flash chromatography on silica gel; thin     layer chromatography (TLC) was carried out on silica gel plates; -   (iv) in general, the course of reactions was followed by TLC and     reaction times are given for illustration only; -   (v) yields are given for illustration only and are not necessarily     those which can be obtained by diligent process development;     preparations were repeated if more material was required; -   (vi) where given, NMR data is in the form of delta values for major     diagnostic protons, given in parts per million (ppm) relative to     tetramethylsilane (TMS) as an internal standard, determined at 300     MHz using per deuterio dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO-d₆) as solvent     unless otherwise indicated, other solvents (where indicated in the     text) include deuterated chloroform CDCl₃; -   (vii) chemical symbols have their usual meanings; SI units and     symbols are used; -   (viii) reduced pressures are given as absolute pressures in Pascals     (Pa); elevated pressures are given as gauge pressures in bars; -   (ix) solvent ratios are given in volume: volume (v/v) terms; -   (x) mass spectra (MS) were run with an electron energy of 70     electron volts in the chemical ionisation (CI) mode using a direct     exposure probe; where indicated ionisation was effected by electron     impact (EI), fast atom bombardment (FAB) or electrospray (ESP);     values for m/z are given; generally, only ions which indicate the     parent mass are reported and unless otherwise stated the value     quoted is (M−H)⁻; -   (xi) The following abbreviations may be used:     -   SM starting material;     -   EtOAc ethyl acetate;     -   MeOH methanol;     -   EtOH ethanol;     -   DCM dichloromethane;     -   HOBT 1-hydroxybenzotriazole;     -   DIPEA di-isopropylethylamine;     -   EDCI 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide         hydrochloride;     -   EDAC 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide         hydrochloride;     -   Et₂O/ether diethyl ether;     -   THF tetrahydrofuran;     -   DMF N,N-dimethylformamide;     -   HATU         O-(7-Azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-N,N,N,′N′-tetramethyluroniumhexafluorophosphate     -   EDAC 1-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide         hydrochloride     -   TFA Trifluoroacetic acid     -   DMTMM 4-(4,6-Dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium         chloride     -   DMA N,N-dimethylacetamide

Example 1 5Chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-[[(2S)-2,3-dihydroxyropanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

5-Chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[{[(4S)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]carbonyl}(methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (Intermediate 1; 370 mg, 0.792 mmol) was dissolved in acetic acid (5 ml) and water (1 ml) and heated to 70° C. for 2hours. Water (30 ml) was added and the resultant precipitate filtered, washed with water (2×3 ml) and dried in vacuo to give the title compound (300 mg, 88%) as a powder.

¹H NMR δ: 2.63 (s, 1.5H), 2.87 (s, 1.5H), 3.04 (m, 1H), 3.25 (m, 1H), 3.54 (m, 3H), 4.43 (m, 1H), 4.87 (m, 2H), 5.8 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (0.5H), 7.15 (m, 6H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 8.9 (d, 1H), 11.76 (s, 0.5H), 11.79 (s, 0.5H); MS m/z 426, 428 (M−H).

Example 2 5-Chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[methyl(seryl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride

DIPEA (266 μL, 1.53 mmol), HOBT (101 mg, 0.75 mmol), N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-L-serine (103 mg, 0.5 mmol) and EDAC (119 mg, 0.62 mmol) were added to a suspension of 5-chloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (Intermediate 2; 188 mg, 0.5 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (2 mL). The reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for approximately 16 h, diluted with water (20 mL) and the precipitated solid recovered by filtration and dried under vacuum. The crude material was purified by chromatography on silica gel (eluent gradient: 0-80% EtOAc in hexane) and then dissolved in 4M HCl/Dioxan. After standing for 1 hour at ambient temperature, the volatiles were removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the resulting gum triturated with ether to give the title compound (120 mg, 56%) as a white solid.

¹H NMR δ: 2.7 (s, 1.5H), 2.9 (s, 1.5H), 3.1 (m, 1H), 3.3 (m, 1H), 3.8 (m, 2H), 4.4 (m, 1H), 5.0 (m, 1H), 5.6 (m, 1H), 5.8 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (d, 0.5H), 7.2 (m, 6H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 8.2 (m, 2H), 9.0 (d, 0.5H), 9.4 (d, 0.5H), 11.85 (d, 1H); MS m/z 427.

Example 3 N-{(1R,2R)-1-[(N-Acetylseryl)(methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

DIPEA (307 μL, 1.8 mmol), HOBT (74 mg, 0.55 mmol), N-acetylserine (74 mg, 0.5 mmol) and EDAC (115 mg, 0.6 mmol) were added to a suspension of 5-chloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (Intermediate 2, 191 mg, 0.5 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (2 mL). The reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for approximately 16 h, filtered and the product isolated by reverse phase preparative HPLC (C18 ODS column, acetonitrile/water gradient 5-95% containing 0.2% TFA eluent) to give the title compound (29 mg. 11%).

¹H NMR δ: 1.8 (m, 3H), 2.65 (m, 1.5H), 2.9 (m, 1.5H), 3.3 (m, 4H), 4.9 (m, 2H), 5.95 (m, 1H), 7.4 (m, 8H), 8.1 (m, 1H), 8.9 (m, 1H), 11.75 (m, 1H); MS m/z 467 (M−H)⁻.

Example 4 (2S)-N¹-((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-Chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-N¹-methylpentanediamide

5-Chloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methyl{[(2S)-5-oxotetrahydrofuran-2-yl]carbonyl}amino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (Intermediate 16; 100 mg, 0.22 mmol) was suspended in ammonia (5 mL, 2M in isopropanol, 2.5 mmol) and the mixture heated by microwave irradiation at 150° C. for 30 min. After evaporation of the reaction mixture the crude product by purified by reverse phase preparative HPLC (C18 ODS column, acetonitrile/water gradient 5-95% containing 0.2% TFA eluant) to give the title compound (42 mg. 41%).

¹H NMR δ: 1.65 (m, 1H), 2.0 (m, 1H), 2.2 (m, 2H), 2.65 (s, 1.5H), 2.9 (s, 1.5H), 3.0 (m, 1H), 3.25 (m, 1H), 4.35 (m, 1H), 4.65 (d, 0.5H), 4.9 (m, 1H), 5.25 (d, 0.5H), 5.7 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (d, 0.5H), 6.75 (d, 1H), 6.9 (m, 0.5H), 7.2 (m, 6.5H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.7 (s, 1H), 8.95 (t, 1H), 11.78 (s, 1H); MS m/z 469.

The following example was prepared by the method of Example 4, using 5-fluoro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methyl{[(2S)-5-oxotetrahydrofuran-2-yl]carbonyl}amino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (Intermediate 17) as the ester.

Example 5 (2S)-N¹-((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-Fluoro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-N¹-methylpentanediamide

¹H NMR δ: 1.6 (m, 1H), 1.9 (m, 1H), 2.2 (m, 2H), 2.65 (s, 1.5H), 2.85 (s, 1.5H), 3.0 (m, 1H), 3.25 (m, 1H), 4.3 (m, 1H), 4.6 (d, 0.5H), 4.9 (m, 1H), 5.25 (d, 0.5H), 5.75 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (d, 0.5H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 7.05 (m, 3H), 7.25 (m, 4H), 7.4 (m, 2H), 8.9 (m, 1H), 11.66 (s, 1H); MS m/z 453.

Example 6 5-Chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxy-3-methoxypropanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

5-Chloro-N-((1R,2R)-1-{methyl[(2S)-oxiran-2-ylcarbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (Intermediate 18; 100 mg, 0.24 mmol) was suspended in a solution of sodium methoxide (3 mL, 0.5M in MeOH, 6 mmol) and heated under microwave irradiation at 100° C. for 5 min. Acetic acid (0.5 mL) was then added and the reaction mixture evaporated. The residue was then purified by reverse phase preparative HPLC (C18 ODS column, acetonitrile/water gradient 5-95% containing 0.2% TFA eluant) to give the title compound (37 mg. 35%).

¹H NMR δ: 2.6 (s, 1.5H), 2.85 (s, 1.5H), 3.0 (m, 2.5H), 3.4 (m, 4.5H), 4.6 (m, 1H), 4.9 (m, 1H), 5.75 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (d, 0.5H), 6.95 (m, 0.5H), 7.2 (m, 5.5H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.7 (s, 1H), 8.9 (m, 1H), 11.8 (d, 1H); MS m/z 442.

The following example was prepared by the method of Example 6, using 5-fluoro-N-((1R,2R)-1-{methyl[(2S)-oxiran-2-ylcarbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (Intermediate 19) as the epoxide.

Example 7 5-Fluoro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxy-3-methoxypropanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

¹H NMR δ: 2.6 (s, 1.5H), 2.85 (s, 1.5H), 3.0 (m, 2.5H), 3.4 (m, 4.5H), 4.6 (m, 1H), 4.9 (m, 1H), 5.75 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (d, 0.5H), 7.05 (m, 3H), 7.3 (m, 3H), 7.4 (m, 2H), 8.9 (t, 1H), 11.7 (d, 1H); MS m/z 426.

Example 8 (2S)-N¹-((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-Chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-N¹-methylsuccinamide

(2S)-4-Amino-2-hydroxy-4-oxobutanoic acid (CAS Reg. No.: [57229-74-0], 109 mg, 0.82 mmol), 5-chloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (Intermediate 2; 280 mg, 0.74 mmol), HOBT (111 mg, 0.82 mmol), triethylamine (0.46 mL, 3.3 mmol) were suspended in DMF (5 mL) and stirred at room temperature. EDCI (157 mg, 0.82 mmol) was added and stirring was continued for a further 18 hours. The reaction mixture was purified by reverse phase HPLC (5-95% acetonitrile/water gradient containing 0.2% TFA) to give the title compound (36 mg, 11%) as a white solid.

¹H NMR δ: 2.36 (m, 1H), 2.49 (m, 1H), 2.75 (d, 3H), 3.00 (m, 1H), 3.24 (m, 1H), 4.81 (m, 2H), 5.94 (dd, 1H), 6.81 (d, 1H), 7.21 (m, 7H), 7.41 (d, 1H), 7.69 (d, 1H), 8.92 (dd, 1H), 11.77 (d, 1H); MS m/z 455.2.

The following examples were made by the process of Example 8 using the appropriate amine hydrochloride salt (Intermediate 10, 11 or 12) and (2S)4-amino-2-hydroxy-4-oxobutanoic acid.

Example 9 (2S)-N¹-((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-Fluoro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-N¹-methylsuccinamide Example 10 (2S)-2-Hydroxy-N¹-{(1R,2R)-2-[(1H-indol-2-ylcarbonyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl}-N¹-methylsuccinamide Example 11 (2S)-2-Hydroxy-N¹-methyl-N¹-((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)succinamide

Example R ¹H NMR δ M/z 9 F 2.40 (m, 2H), 2.75 (d, 3H), 3.02 (m, 1H), 3.24 439.2 (m, 1H), 4.80 (m, 2H), 5.27 (dd, 1H), 5.96 (dd, 1H), 6.81 (d, 1H), 7.21 (m, 9H), 8.88 (dd, 1H), 11.72 (d, 1H) 10 H 2.41 (m, 2H), 2.75 (d, 3H), 3.02 (m, 1H), 3.24 421.2 (m, 1H), 4.80 (m, 2H), 5.96 (dd, 1H), 6.81 (d, 1H), 7.21 (m, 7H), 7.41 (d, 1H), 7.60 (m, 1H), 8.82 (dd, 1H), 11.54 (d, 1H) 11 Me 2.43 (m, 5H), 2.75 (d, 3H), 3.00 (m, 1H), 435.3 3.24 (m, 1H), 4.80 (m, 2H), 5.96 (dd, 1H), 6.81 (d, 1H), 7.15 (m, 9H), 8.78 (dd, 1H), 11.40 (d, 1H)

Example 12 N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-Hydroxybutanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-5-methyl-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

5-Methyl-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (Intermediate 12; 356 mg, 1.0 mmol) and (S)-2-hydroxybutyric acid (104 mg, 1.0 mmol) was dissolved in DMA (10 mL). DIPEA (342 μL, 2.0 mmol), HOBT (135 mg, 1.0 mmol) and EDCI (240 mg, 1.25 mmol) were added. The reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 18 h. Further (S)-2-hydroxybutyric acid (52 mg, 0.5 mmol) was added and the reaction stirred at ambient temperature for 4 h. EDCI (240 mg, 1.25 mmol) was added and the reaction stirred for a further 2 h. The volatiles were removed in vacuo, EtOAc (15 mL) added and the organic layer washed with water (3×15 mL) and brine (1×15 mL), then the volatiles removed in vacuo to give a brown solid. Purification by silica gel chromatography (CombiFlash Optix, 40 g column, eluent gradient: 1:1, EtOAc:isohexanes to 4:1, EtOAc:isohexanes) to give the title compound (40 mg, 10%) as a white solid.

¹H NMR δ: 0.6 (t, 1.5H), 0.9 (t, 1.5H), 1.5 (m, 2H), 2.4 (s, 3H), 2.6 (s, 1.5H), 2.8 (s, 1.5H), 3.0 (dd, 1H), 3.2 (dd, 1H), 4.3 (m, 1H), 4.8 (d, 0.5H), 4.9 (m, 1H), 5.0 (d, 0.5H), 5.7 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (d, 0.5H), 7.0 (m, 3H), 7.3 (m, 4H), 7.4 (s, 1H), 8.8 (t, 1H), 11.4 (d, 1H); MS m/z 406 (M+H), 428 (M+Na), 404 (M−H).

The following examples were made by the process of Example 12 using the appropriate amine hydrochloride salt intermediate (Intermediates 10, 11 or 2) and (S)-2-hydroxybutyric acid as the carboxylic acid.

Example 13 5-Fluoro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxybutanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide Example 14 N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-Hydroxybutanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide Example 15 5-Chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxybutanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

Example R ¹H NMR δ MS m/z 13 F 0.6 (t, 1.5H), 0.9 (t, 1.5H), 1.5 (m, 2H), 2.6 (s, 410 1.5H), 2.8 (s, 1.5H), 3.0 (dd, 1H), 3.2 (dd, 1H), 4.3 (m, 1H), 4.6 (d, 0.5H), 4.9 (m, 1H), 5.1 (d, 0.5H), 5.7 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (d, 0.5H), 6.9 (d, 0.5H), 7.0 (m, 2.5H), 7.3 (m, 3H), 7.4 (m, 2H), 8.8 (t, 1H), 11.7 (d, 1H) 14 H 0.6 (t, 1.5H), 0.9 (t, 1.5H), 1.5 (m, 2H), 2.6 (s, 392 1.5H), 2.9 (s, 1.5H), 3.0 (dd, 1H), 3.2 (dd, 1H), 4.3 (m, 1H), 4.6 (d, 0.5H), 4.9 (m, 1H), 5.1 (d, 0.5H), 5.7 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (d, 0.5H), 6.9 (d, 0.5H), 7.1 (m, 4.5H), 7.3 (m, 2H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.6 (d, 1H), 8.8 (t, 1H), 11.6 (d, 1H) 15 Cl 0.6 (t, 1.5H), 0.9 (t, 1.5H), 1.5 (m, 2H), 2.6 (s, 426/428 1.5H), 2.8 (s, 1.5H), 3.0 (dd, 1H), 3.2 (dd, 1H), 4.3 (m, 1H), 4.6 (d, 0.5H), 4.9 (m, 1H), 5.1 (d, 0.5H), 5.7 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (d, 0.5H), 6.9 (d, 0.5H), 7.1 (m, 1.5H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 7.3 (m, 3H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.7 (s, 1H), 8.9 (t, 1H), 11.8 (d, 1H)

Example 16 N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2,3-Dihydroxyproyanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-5-methyl-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

5-Methyl-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (Intermediate 12; 350 mg) and (4S)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid potassium salt (184 mg, 1.0 mmol) was dissolved in DMA (10 mL). DIPEA (342 μL, 2.0 mmol), HOBT (135 mg, 1.0 mmol) and EDCI (240 mg, 1.25 mmol) were added. The reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 21 h. Water (40 mL) was added, the reaction mixture filtered and the residue dissolved in EtOAc (20 mL). This was washed with water (2×20 mL) and brine (1×20 mL), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to a yellow solid (390 mg). This solid was dissolved in acetic acid (glacial, 10 mL) and water (1 mL). The reaction was stirred at 60° C. for 1.75 h. Water (50 mL) was added. Sodium hydroxide (2M solution) was added until the pH was approximately 7. EtOAc (50 μl) was added, the organic layer separated and washed with sodium bicarbonate (2×50 mL), water (1×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL). The solution was dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give the title compound (270 mg, 69%) as a yellow solid.

¹H NMR δ: 2.3 (s, 3H), 2.6 (s, 1.5H), 2.8 (s, 1.5H), 3.0 (m, 1H), 3.2 (m, 1H), 3.5 (m, 2H), 4.4 (m, 1.5H), 4.7 (d, 0.5H), 4.9 (d, 1.5H), 5.3 (d, 0.5H), 5.8 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (d, 0.5H), 7.0 (m, 2.5H), 7.1 (m, 0.5H), 7.2 (m, 4H), 7.4 (s, 1H), 8.8 (d, 1H), 11.4 (d, 1H); MS m/z 406 (M+H), 428 (M+Na), 404 (M−H).

Example 17 5-Chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[glycoloyl(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

5-Chloro-N-((1R,2R)-1-{[2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)ethyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (Intermediate 21; 454 mg, 1.0 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (15 mL). N-Ethyldiisopropylamine (172 μL, 1.0 mmol) was added. This solution was cooled in an ice bath and acetoxyacetyl chloride (107 μl, 1.0 mmol) was added dropwise over 2 minutes. The reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was then evaporated and EtOAc (50 mL) added. This organic layer was washed with Sodium bicarbonate (1×50 mL), water (2×50 mL), and brine (1×50 mL). This solution was dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give a brown solid. This intermediate was dissolved in acetic acid (10 mL) and water (1 mL) and the reaction stirred at ambient temperature for 4.5 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated and redissolved in MeOH (20 mL). Potassium carbonate (1 g) was added and the reaction stirred at ambient temperature for 1 hour. More potassium carbonate (1 g) was added and the reaction stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was evaporated and EtOAc (50 mL) added. This organic layer was washed with water (2×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL). This solution was dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to a brown solid (420 mg). The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography (CombiFlash Companion, 40 g column, eluent gradient: 1:1, EtOAc:isohexane to EtOAc) to give the title compound as a yellow solid (100 mg, 23%).

¹H NMR (D₂O/DMSO) δ: 3.0 (dd, 1H), 3.1 (s, 1H), 3.5 (m, 2H), 4.2 (s, 2H), 4.9 (s, 1H), 5.5 (s, 1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 7.2 (m, 4H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.6 (s, 1H); MS m/z 450/452 (M+Na) and 426/428 (M−H).

Example 18 5-Chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxybutanoyl](2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

5-Chloro-N-((1R,2R)-1-{[(2S)-2-hydroxybutanoyl][2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)ethyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (Intermediate 20, 130 mg, 0.24 mmol) was dissolved in acetic acid (glacial, 10 mL) and water (1 mL). The reaction was stiffed at 60° C. for 7 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated to an off-white solid. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography (CombiFlash Companion, 40 g column, eluant gradient: 1:0, isohexane:EtOAc to pure EtOAc) to give the title compound (40 mg, 37%) as a white solid.

¹H NMR δ: 0.8 (s, 3H), 1.3 (s, 1H), 1.5 (m, 1H), 1.7 (m, 1H), 3.0 (dd, 1H), 3.4 (dd, 1H), 3.57 (m, 3H), 4.4 (m, 2H), 5.0 (s, 1H), 5.7 (s, 1H), 7.1 (s, 2H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 7.3 (m, 3H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.7 (s, 1H), 8.6 (d, 1H), 11.5 (s, 1H); MS m/z 478/480 (M+Na) and 454/456 (M−H).

Example 19 5-Chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2R)-2,3-dihydroxypropanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

5-Chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[{[(4R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]carbonyl}(methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (Intermediate 25; 380 mg, 814 mmol) was dissolved in 20% aqueous acetic acid (6 mL) and warmed to 70° C. for 3 h. The reaction was cooled, water (50 ml) added and the mixture filtered, the solid washed with water and dried in vacuo to give the title compound (160 mg, 46%) as a powder.

¹H NMR (mixture of rotamers): 2.75 (s, 1.5H), 2.95 (s, 1.5H), 3.1 (m, 1H), 3.3 (m, 1H), 3.6 (m, 2H), 4.7 (m, 4H), 5.75 (d, 0.5H), 6.2 (d, 0.5H), 7.25 (m, 6H), 7.5 (d, 1H), 7.8 (s, 1H), 8.95 (d, 1H), 11.82 (m, 1H); MS m/z 426, 428 (M−H).

Intermediate 1 5-Chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[{[(4S)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]carbonyl}(methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

Potassium 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylate (170 mg, 0.921 mmol), 5-chloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (Intermediate 2; 315 mg, 0.837 mmol), DIPEA (143 μl, 0.837 mmol) and HOBT (113 mg, 0.837 mmol) were dissolved in DMA (5 ml), stirred for 5 minutes, EDCI (201 mg, 1.05 mmol) added and the mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hours. Water (25 ml) was added and the resultant precipitate filtered, dissolved in EtOAc (25 mL), washed with water (25 mL), brine (10 mL), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to afford the title compound (380 mg, 97%) as a foam.

¹H NMR δ: 1.25 (m, 6H), 2.65 (s, 1.8H), 2.87 (s, 1.2H), 3.03 (m, 1H), 3.25 (m, 1H), 4.03 (m, 1H), 4.24 (m, 1H), 4.9 (m, 2H), 4.75 (d, 0.6H), 6.13 (d, 0.4H), 7.2 (m, 6H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 7.72 (d, 1H), 8.85 (d, 0.4H), 8.95 (d, 0.6H), 11.74 (s, 0.4H), 11.81(s, 0.6H); MS m/z 466, 468 (M−H).

Intermediate 2 5-Chloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride

tert-Butyl ((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)methylcarbamate (Intermediate 3; 780 mg, 1.77 mmol) was dissolved in HCl solution (4N in dioxane, 15 ml) and stirred at ambient temperature for 24 hours. The volatiles were removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue dried in vacuo to give the title compound (632 mg, 95%) as a powder.

¹H NMR δ: 2.7 (s, 3H), 3.07 (dd, 1H), 3.54 (dd, 1H), 4.88 (m, 2H), 7.18 (m, 2H), 7.38 (m, 4H), 7.69 (d, 1H), 7.8 (d, 1H), 9.24 (d, 1H), 9.62 (broad d, 2H), 11.9 (s, 1H); MS m/z 338, 340 (M−H).

Intermediate 3 tert-Butyl ((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)methylcarbamate

5-Chloroindole-2-carboxylic acid (CAS Reg no: 10517-21-2; 560 mg, 2.86 mmol), tert-butyl [(1R,2R)-2-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]methylcarbamate (Intermediate 4; 750 mg, 2.86 mmol), DIPEA (490 μl, 2.86 mmol) and HOBT (386 mg, 2.86 mmol) were dissolved in DCM (20 ml), stirred for 5 minutes, EDCI (685 mg, 3.58 mmol) added and the mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 24 hours. The volatiles were removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and EtOAc (50 mL) added. The organic phase was washed with water (25 mL), brine (25 mL) and dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography (SiO₂, EtOAc:Hexane) to afford the title compound (800 mg, 62%) as a powder.

¹H NMR δ 1.2 (s, 4.5H), 1.35 (s, 4.5H), 2.65 (s, 3H), 3.13 (m, 2H), 4.8 (m, 1H), 5.65 (m, 1H), 7.2 (m, 6H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 7.71 (d, 1H), 8.83 (m, 1H), 11.79 (s, 1H); MS m/z 438, 440 (M−H).

Intermediate 4 tert-Butyl [(1R,2R)-2-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]methyl carbamate

(1R,2S)-1-[(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)(methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl methanesulfonate (Intermediate 5; 3.0 g, 8.8 mmol) and sodium azide (2.3 g, 35.2 mmol) in dry DMA (30 mL) was heated to 90° C. for 7 hours. The reaction was cooled and ethyl acetate (100 mL) added. The mixture was washed with water (6×25 mL), brine (50 mL) and dried (MgSO₄). 10% Palladium on carbon (400 mg) was added to the organic solution which was stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere for 4 h, filtered through Celite and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EtOAc and then DCM:MeOH 9:1) to afford the title compound (1.2 g, 55%) as a pale brown oil.

¹H NMR δ: 1.45 (m, 9H), 2.6 (s, 3H), 2.8 (m, 1H), 3.3 (m, 1H), 4.45 (m, 1H), 5.55 (dd, 1H), 7.26 (m, 4H); MS m/z 264.

Intermediate 5 (1R,2S)-1-[(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)(methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl methanesulfonate

tert-Butyl [(1R,2S)-2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]methylcarbamate (Intermediate 6; 3.0 g, 11.4 mmol) was dissolved in dry THF (40 mL) at 10° C. A solution of methane sulphonyl chloride (1.44 g, 12.55 mmol) in dry THF (10 mL) was added, the reaction allowed to warm to ambient temperature and stirred for 30 mins. The volatiles were removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and ethyl acetate (100 mL) added. The mixture was washed with water (2×50 mL), brine (50 mL) and the organic phase was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography (EtOAc:Hexane) to afford the title compound (3.1 g, 80%) as a colourless syrup.

¹H NMR δ: 1.46 (s, 9H), 2.61 (s, 3H), 3.12 (m, 1H), 3.18 (s, 3H), 3.32 (m, 1H), 5.45 (m, 1H), 5.68 (m, 1H), 7.28 (m, 4H); MS m/z 342.

Intermediate 6 tert-Butyl [(1R,2S)-2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]methylcarbamate

tert-Butyl methyl[(1R,2S)-2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]carbamate (Intermediate 7; 4.0 g, 11.5 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (50 mL), 4-toluene sulphonic acid added and the reaction stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hours. Saturated sodium bicarbonate (50 mL), water (100 mL) was added and ethyl acetate (100 mL) was added and the mixture stirred for 30 mins. The organic phase was separated, washed with water (50 mL), brine (50 mL) and dried (MgSO₄). The volatiles were removed by evaporation under reduced pressure to give the title compound (3.0 g, 99%) as an oil.

¹H NMR δ: 1.45 (s, 9H), 2.6 (s, 3H), 2.75 (m, 1H), 3.05 (m, 1H), 4.5 (m, 1H), 5.05 (m, 1H), 5.34 (m, 1H), 7.03-7.3 (m, 4H).

Intermediate 7 tert-Butyl methyl[(1R,2S)-2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]carbamate

tert-Butyl [(1R,2S)-2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]carbamate (Intermediate 8; 4.0 g, 12.0 mmol) was dissolved in dry DMA (25 mL) at 5° C. 60% Sodium hydride (575 mg, 14.4 mmol) was added, the reaction stirred at 5° C. for 30 mins, allowed to warm to ambient temperature and stirred for a further 30 mins. Methyl iodide (896 μL, 14.4 mmol) was added and the reaction stirred at ambient temperature for 3 hours. The reaction was poured into water (100 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×50 mL). The organic extracts were washed with water (6×25 mL), brine (50 mL) and dried (MgSO₄). The volatiles were removed by evaporation under reduced pressure to give the title compound (4.1 g, 97%) as an oil.

¹H NMR δ: 1.4-1.9 (m, 6H), 1.5 (s, 9H), 2.7 (dd, 3H), 2.85-3.3 (m, 2H), 3.5 (m, 1H), 3.7-4.0 (m, 1H), 4.6-4.9 (m, 2H), 5.5-5.85 (m, 1H), 7.2 (s, 4H).

Intermediate 8 tert-Butyl [(1R,2S)-2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]carbamate

tert-Butyl [(1R,2S)-2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]carbamate (Intermediate 9, 7.0 g, 28.1 mmol) and 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (4.7 g, 56.2 mmol) dissolved in DCM (50 mL). 4-Toluenesulphonic acid pyridinium salt (100 mg) was added and the reaction stirred for 4 hours at ambient temperature. The reaction was diluted with ethyl acetate (100 mL), washed with water (2×50 mL), brine (50 mL) and dried (MgSO₄). The volatiles were removed by evaporation under reduced pressure to give the title compound (8.9 g, 95%) as an oil.

¹H NMR δ: 1.25-1.85 (m, 6H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 2.85-3.1 (m, 2H), 3.4 (m, 1H), 3.8 (m, 1H), 4.35-5.1 (m, 3H), 6.8 (dd, 1H), 7.2 (s, 1H).

Intermediate 9 tert-Butyl [(1R,2S)-2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]carbamate

(1R,2S)-1-Amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-ol (CAS Reg. No. 136030-00-7; 10 g, 67.1 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (550 mL) and triethylamine (18.7 mL, 134.2 mmol). Di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (18.3 g, 83.9 mmol) in DCM (50 mL) was added and the mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 20 hours, and then evaporated. EtOAc (200 mL) was added, the solution washed with water (200 mL), dried (MgSO₄) and the volatiles removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by flash column chromatography (SiO₂, 4:1, iso-hexane:EtOAc eluent) to provide the title compound (16.1 g, 96%) as a white solid.

¹H NMR δ: 1.42 (m, 9H), 2.78 (dd, 1H), 3.00 (dd, 1H), 4.36 (m, 1H), 4.84 (m, 1H), 4.95 (m, 1H), 6.3 (d, 1H), 7.13 (m, 4H).

The following intermediates were made by the process of Intermediate 2, using the appropriate carbamate intermediate (Intermediate 13, 14 or 15).

Intermediate 10 5-fluoro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride Intermediate 11 N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride Intermediate 12 5-Methyl-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride

Intermediate R ¹H NMR δ M/z 10 F 2.70 (s, 3H), 3.07 (dd, 1H), 3.53 (m, 1H), 324.3 4.88 (m, 2H), 7.04 (dt, 1H), 7.19 (s, 1H), 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.77 (d, 1H), 9.19 (d, 1H), 9.57 (d, 2H), 11.80 (s, 1H) 11 H 2.71 (s, 3H), 3.07 (m, 1H), 3.50 (m, 1H), 306.3 4.89 (m, 2H), 7.02 (t, 1H), 7.18 (m, 2H), 7.38 (m, 4H), 7.60 (d, 1H), 7.78 (d, 1H), 9.15 (d, 1H), 9.59 (d, 2H), 11.69 (s, 1H) 12 Me 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.70 (s, 3H), 3.06 (dd, 1H), 320.3 3.52 (m, 1H), 4.87 (m, 2H), 7.01 (d, 1H), 7.10 (s, 1H), 7.34 (m, 5H), 7.78 (d, 1H), 9.09 (d, 1H), 9.59 (d, 2H), 11.55 (s, 1H) The following intermediates were made by the process of Intermediate 3, using tert-butyl [1R,2R)-2-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]methylcarbamate (Intermediate 4) as the carbamate and the appropriate commercially available indole-2-carboxylic acid.

Intermediate 13 tert-Butyl ((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-fluoro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)methylcarbamate Intermediate 14 tert-Butyl {(1R,2R)-2-[(1H-indol-2-ylcarbonyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl}methylcarbamate Intermediate 15 tert-Butyl methyl((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)carbamate

Intermediate R ¹H NMR δ M/z 13 F 1.27 (d, 9H), 2.66 (s, 3H), 3.09 (m, 2H), 4.81 424.3 (m, 1H), 5.67 (dd, 1H), 7.01 (m, 2H), 7.12 (m, 1H), 7.24 (m, 3H), 7.40 (dd, 2H), 8.80 (m, 1H), 11.69 (s, 1H) 14 H 1.27 (d, 9H), 2.66 (s, 3H), 3.09 (m, 2H), 406.3 4.81 (m, 1H), 5.67 (dd, 1H), 7.02 (m, 2H), 7.15 (m, 2H), 7.26 (m, 3H), 7.41 (d, 1H), 7.61 (d, 1H), 8.75 (m, 1H), 11.57 (s, 1H) 15 Me 1.27 (d, 9H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 2.66 (s, 3H), 3.09 420.3 (m, 2H), 4.81 (m, 1H), 5.67 (dd, 1H), 7.01 (m, 3H), 7.27 (m, 4H), 7.38 (s, 1H) 8.69 (m, 1H), 11.43 (s, 1H)

Intermediate 16 5-Chloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methyl{[(2S)-5-oxotetrahydrofuran-2-yl]carbonyl}amino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

DIPEA (173 μL, 1.0 mmol), (2S)-5-oxotetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid (260 mg, 2 mmol) and EDAC (328 mg, 2.0 mmol) were added to a suspension of 5-chloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (Intermediate 2, 375.5 mg, 1.0 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (5 mL). The reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 3 h and then diluted with EtOAc (50 mL). The solution was washed with water (4×20 mL), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give a gum that was triturated with ether to give the title compound (340 mg, 75%) as a white solid.

¹H NMR δ: 2.3 (m, 4H), 2.7 (s, 1.5H), 2.9 (s, 1.5H), 3.05 (m, 1H), 3.25 (m, 1H), 4.9 (m, 1H), 5.5 (m, 1.5H), 6.1 (d, 0.5H), 7.2 (m, 6H), 7.45 (d, 1.0H), 7.7 (d, 1H), 8.9 (d, 1.0H), 11.9 (d, 1H); MS m/z 452.

The following intermediate was prepared by the method of Intermediate 16 using 5-fluoro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (Intermediate 10) as the amine.

Intermediate 17 5-Fluoro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methyl{[(2S)-5-oxotetrahydrofuran-2-yl]carbonyl}amino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

¹H NMR δ: 2.3 (m, 4H), 2.75 (s, 1.5H), 2.9 (s, 1.5H), 3.05 (m, 1H), 3.25 (m, 1H), 4.9 (m, 1H), 5.55 (m, 1.5H), 6.1 (d, 0.5H), 7.1 (m, 3H), 7.3 (m, 3H), 7.4 (m, 2H), 8.9 (d, 1H), 11.7 (d, 1H); MS m/z 436.

Intermediate 18 5-Chloro-N-((1R,2R)-1-{methyl[(2S)-oxiran-2-ylcarbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

EDAC (573 mg, 3 mmol) was added to a stirred suspension of 5-chloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (Intermediate 2; 375.5 mg, 1.0 mmol) and potassium (2S)-oxirane-2-carboxylate (378 mg, 3 mmol) in DMF (5 mL). After stirring for 2 h at ambient temperature water (20 mL) was added and the resulting solid precipitate was collected by filtration, washed well with water and dried under vacuum. MS m/z 410.

The following intermediate was prepared by the process of Intermediate 18 using 5-fluoro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (Intermediate 10) amine hydrochloride salt and (2S)-oxirane-2-carboxylate as the carboxylate source.

Intermediate 19 5-Fluoro-N-((1R,2R)-1-{methyl[(2S)-oxiran-2-ylcarbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

MS m/z 394.

Intermediate 20 5-Chloro-N-((1R,2R)-1-{[(2S)-2-hydroxybutanoyl][2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)ethyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

5-Chloro-N-((1R,2R)-1-{[2-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)ethyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (Intermediate 21; 227 mg, 0.5 mmol) and (S)-2-hydroxybutyric acid (52 mg, 0.5 mmol) was dissolved in DMA (10 mL). N-Ethyldiisopropylamine (172 μL, 1.0 mmol) and O-(7-Azabenzotriazol-1-Yl)-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluoro-phosphate (190 mg, 0.5 mmol) was added. The reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 4 h. Water (30 mL) was added, the mixture filtered and the residue dissolved in EtOAc (50 mL). This organic layer was washed with water (2×50 mL) and brine (1×50 mL), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to a brown solid. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography (Combilash Companion, 12 g column, eluent gradient:EtOAc to 2:1, EtOAc:MeOH) to give the title compound as an orange solid (175 mg, 65%).

¹H NMR δ: 0.8 (s, 3H), 1.3-1.7 (m, 8H), 3.0 (m, 2H), 3.3-3.8 (m, 6H), 4.3-4.7 (m, 3H), 5.0 (s, 1H), 5.7 (s, 1H), 7.0-7.3 (m, 6H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.6 (s, 1H), 8.5 (d, 1H), 11.4 (s, 1H); MS m/z 562/564 (M+Na) and 538/540 (M−H).

Intermediate 21 5-Chloro-N-((1R,2R)-1-{[2-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yloxy)ethyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

N-[(1R,2R)-1-Amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide trifluoroacetate (Intermediate 22; 2.7 g, 7.45 mmol) was dissolved in DMA (20 mL). 2-(2-iodoethoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran (1.9 g, 7.45 mmol) and N-ethyldiisopropylamine (2.55 mL, 14.9 mmol) was added. The reaction was stirred at 60° C. overnight. More 2-(2-iodoethoxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran (1.9 g, 7.45 mmol) and N-ethyldiisopropylamine (2.55 mL, 14.9 mmol) was added and the reaction stirred at 60° C. for a further 24 h. The reaction was allowed to cool and poured into EtOAc (75 mL). This solution was then washed with water (6×75 mL) and brine (1×75 mL). The solution was dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to a brown oil (4.4 g). The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography (CombiFlash Companion, 120 g column, eluent: pure EtOAc) to give the title compound as a brown oil (1.23 g).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ: 1.5 (m, 4H), 2.8 (dt, 1H), 3.1 (m, 2H), 3.6 (m, 3H), 3.9 (m, 2H), 4.3 (d, 1H), 4.6 (d, 1H), 4.7 (m, 1H), 6.6 (q, 1H), 6.8 (d, 1H), 7.2-7.4 (m, 7H), 7.6 (s, 1H), 9.7 (s, 1H); MS m/z 454/456 (M+H), 476/478 (M+Na) and 452/454 (M−H).

Intermediate 22 N-[(1R,2R)-1-Amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide trifluoroacetate

tert-Butyl ((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)carbamate (Intermediate 23; 1.0 g, 2.35 mmol) dissolved in DCM (10 mL), TFA (2 mL) added and the mixture stirred for approximately 70 hours. Evaporation under reduced pressure followed by co-evaporation with chloroform (2×10 mL) and drying gave the title compound as the trifluoroacetate salt (1.0 g, 100%) as a pale brown amorphous powder.

¹H NMR 3.03 (dd, 1H), 3.4 (dd, 1H), 4.75 (m, 2H), 7.17 (d, 1H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 7.36 (m, 3H), 7.46 (d, 1H), 7.55 (m, 1H), 7.72 (d, 1H), 8.57 (s, 3H), 8.99 (d, 1H); MS m/z 326, 328.

Intermediate 23 tert-Butyl ((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)carbamate

5-Chloroindole-2-carboxylic acid (391 mg, 2 mmol), tert-Butyl [(1R,2R)-2-amino-2,3-5 dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]carbamate (Intermediate 24; 497 mg, 2 mmol), DIPEA (350 μL, 2 mmol) and HOBT (270 mg, 2 mmol) were dissolved in DCM (10 mL), stirred for 5 mins, EDCI (479 mg, 2.5 mmol), the reaction stirred for 3 hours and the volatiles removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. EtOAc (25 mL) was added and the organic solution washed with water (2×10 mL), brine (10 mL), dried (MgSO₄) and the volatiles removed by evaporation under reduced pressure to give the title compound (800 mg, 94%) as a pale brown foam.

¹H NMR δ: 1.47 (s, 9H), 2.9 (dd, 1H), 3.27 (dd, 1H), 4.7 (m, 1H), 5.25 (m, 1H), 7.24 (m, 6H), 7.5 (m, 2H), 7.79 (s, 1H), 8.91 (d, 1H), 11.85 (s, 1H), MS m/z 426, 428.

Intermediate 24 (1R, 2R)-2-Amino-1-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonylamino]indan

tert-Butyl [(1R,2S)-2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]carbamate (Intermediate 9; 14.0 g, 56.2 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (200 mL) and triethylamine (11.8 mL, 84.3 mmol). Methanesulfonyl chloride (7.1 g, 61.9 mmol) dissolved in DCM (20 mL) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The mixture was evaporated and EtOAc (250 mL) added. After washing with water and drying over magnesium sulphate the organic solution was evaporated to yield cis-1-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonylamino]-2-methanesulphonyloxyindan (9.7 g, 98%) as a white solid.

¹H NMR 1.45 (s, 9H), 3.15 (m, 2H), 3.18 (s, 3H), 5.20 (m, 1H), 5.35 (m, 1H), 7.15 (m, 4H), 7.45 (d, 1H).

Cis-1-[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonylamino]-2-methanesulphonyloxyindan (18.1 g, 55.3 mmol) was dissolved in dry dimethyl acetamide (100 mL). Sodium azide (5.4 g, 83.0 mmol) was added and the mixture heated to 90° C. for 6 hours. The reaction was cooled, diluted with ethyl acetate (150 mL), washed with water (6×200 mL) and dried over magnesium sulphate. 10% Palladium on activated carbon was added and the mixture stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere for 24 hours. Filtration through celite followed by evaporation gave the title compound (2.6 g, 98%) as a white solid.

¹H NMR: 1.45 (s, 9H), 2.50 (dd, 1H), 3.05 (dd, 1H), 3.30 (m, 3H), 4.55 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 5H).

Intermediate 25 5-Chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[{[(4R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl]carbonyl}(methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide

To a solution of 5-chloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1-(methylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride (Intermediate 2; 315 mg, 0.837 mmol), (4R)-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid potassium salt (170 mg, 0.921 mmol) and DIPEA (143 μL, 0.837 mmol) in anhydrous DMA (5 mL) was added HOBT (113 mg, 0.837 mmol) and EDCI (201 mg, 1.05 mmol). The reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for approximately 24 h, water (30 mL) added and the mixture filtered. The solid was dissolved in EtOAc (50 mL, washed with water (20 mL), brine (20 mL), and dried (MgSO₄). The volatiles were removed under reduced pressure to give the title compound (380 mg, 97%) as a pale yellow foam.

¹H NMR (mixture of rotamers) δ: 1.2 (m, 6H), 2.65 (s, 1.5H), 2.85 (s, 1.5H), 3.2 (m, 2H), 4.05 (m, 2H), 4.9 (m, 2H), 5.6 (d, 0.5H), 6.15 (d, 0.5H), 7.2 (m, 6H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 7.7 (s, 1H), 8.82 (m, 1H), 11.78 (m, 1H); MS m/z 466,468 (M−H). 

1. A compound of formula (1):

A is phenylene or heteroarylene; n is 0, 1 or 2; m is 0, 1 or 2; R¹ is independently selected from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, carboxy, carbamoyl, N-(1-4C)alkylcarbamoyl, N,N-((1-4C)alkyl)₂carbamoyl, sulphamoyl, N-(1-4C)alkylsulphamoyl, N,N-((1-4C)alkyl)₂sulphamoyl, —S(O)_(b)(1-4C)alkyl (wherein b is 0, 1, or 2), —OS(O)₂(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkyl, (2-4C)alkenyl, (2-4C)alkynyl, (1-4C)alkoxy, (1-4C)alkanoyl, (1-4C)alkanoyloxy, hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy and —NHSO₂(1-4C)alkyl; or, when n is 2, the two R¹ groups, together with the carbon atoms of A to which they are attached, may form a 4 to 7 membered saturated ring, optionally containing 1 or 2 heteroatoms independently selected from O, S and N, and optionally being substituted by one or two methyl groups; one of R² and R³ is selected from R_(N)a, and the other is selected from R_(N)b; R_(N)a: (1-3C)alkyl, halo(1-3C)alkyl, dihalo(1-3)alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-3C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-3C)alkyl, cyano(1-3C)alkyl (optionally substituted on alkyl with hydroxy), methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, methoxyethyl, methoxymethoxymethyl, dimethoxyethyl, (hydroxy)(methoxy)ethyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof, (amino)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl, (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl, (methylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl, (dimethylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl, (methylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl, (methylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-3C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2); R_(N)b: (1-4C)alkyl, halo(1-4C)alkyl, dihalo(1-4C)alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, dihydroxy(2-4C)alkyl, trihydroxy(3-4C)alkyl, cyano(1-4C)alkyl (optionally substituted on alkyl with hydroxy), (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl, di[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, (hydroxy)[(1-4C)alkoxy](2-4C)alkyl, 5- and 6-membered acetals and mono- and di-methyl derivatives thereof, (amino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, (aminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, ((1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, (di(1-4C)alkylaminocarbonyl)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, ((1-4C)alkylcarbonylamino)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl, ((1-4C)alkylS(O)_(p)-)(hydroxy)(2-4C)alkyl (wherein p is 0, 1 or 2); wherein any alkyl or alkoxy group within any group in R_(N)A and R_(N)B may also optionally be substituted on an available carbon atom with a hydroxy group (provided that said carbon atom is not already substituted by a group linked by a heteroatom); provided that if R² is (1-3C)alkyl or (1-4C)alkyl then R³ is not (1-4C)alkyl or (1-3C)alkyl; R⁴ is independently selected from halo, nitro, hydroxy, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, carboxy, carbamoyl, (1-4C)alkyl, (2-4C)alkenyl, (2-4C)alkynyl, (1-4C)alkoxy and (1-4C)alkanoyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof.
 2. A compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, wherein R² is selected from R_(N)a, and R³ is selected from R_(N)b, wherein R_(N)a and R_(N)b are as defined in claim
 1. 3. A compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, wherein A is phenylene.
 4. A compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, wherein n is
 0. 5. A compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, wherein m is 0 or
 1. 6. A compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, wherein R⁴ is methyl, chloro or fluoro.
 7. A compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, wherein R_(N)a is selected from (1-4C)alkyl, hydroxy(1-4C)alkyl, and (1-4C)alkoxy(1-4C)alkyl.
 8. A compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, which is a compound of formula (1A):

wherein R¹ to R⁴, m and n are as defined in claim
 1. 9. A pro-drug of a compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim 1, which pro-drug is an in-vivo hydrolysable ester.
 10. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of the formula (1), as claimed in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in-vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier. 11-15. (canceled)
 16. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim 1, which process comprises: reacting an acid of the formula (2):

or an activated derivative thereof; with an amine of formula (3):

and thereafter if necessary: i) converting a compound of the formula (1) into another compound of the formula (1); ii) removing any protecting groups; iii) forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or in vivo hydrolysable ester.
 17. A compound of formula (1) as claimed claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, wherein m is 0 or 1 and R⁴ is methyl, chloro or fluoro.
 18. A compound of formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or pro-drug thereof, selected from: 5-chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2,3-dihydroxypropanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide; 5-chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[methyl(seryl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide hydrochloride; N-{(1R,2R)-1-[(N-acetylseryl)(methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide; (2S)-N¹-((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-N¹-methylpentanediamide; (2S)-N¹-((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-fluoro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-N¹-methylpentanediamide; 5-chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxy-3-methoxypropanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide; 5-fluoro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxy-3-methoxypropanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}1H-indole-2-carboxamide; (2S)-N¹-((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-N¹-methylsuccinamide; (2S)-N¹-((1R,2R)-2-{[(5-fluoro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)-2-hydroxy-N¹-methylsuccinamide; (2S)-2-hydroxy-N¹-{(1R,2R)-2-[(1H-indol-2-ylcarbonyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl}-N¹-methylsuccinamide; (2S)-2-hydroxy-N¹-methyl-N¹-((1R,2R)-2-{[5-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl)succinamide; N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxybutanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-5-methyl-1H-indole-2-carboxamide; 5-fluoro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxybutanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide; N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxybutanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide; 5-chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxybutanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide; N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2,3-dihydroxypropanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}5-methyl-1H-indole-2-carboxamide; 5-chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[glycoloyl(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}1H-indole-2-carboxamide; 5-chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2S)-2-hydroxybutanoyl](2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide; or 5-chloro-N-{(1R,2R)-1-[[(2R)-2,3-dihydroxypropanoyl](methyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl}-1H-indole-2-carboxamide.
 19. A method of producing a glycogen phosphorylase inhibitory effect in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim
 1. 20. A method of treating type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, syndrome X, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglucagonaemia, cardiac ischaemia or obesity in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim
 1. 21. A method of treating type 2 diabetes in a warm-blooded animal, such as man, in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a compound of formula (1) as claimed in claim
 1. 